PARIS, April 24 (Reuters) - The French rugby federation is facing a manslaughter charge related to the 2024 death of under-18 youth international Medhi Narjissi, who was swept away by a wave while on a team tour, said the federation's lawyer on Friday.
In August 2024, Narjissi - part of the France under-18 team due to participate in a tournament in South Africa - was swept away by a rip tide while swimming during a recovery session after training.
"This marks an initial, procedural step which does not in any way constitute any sign of guilt," said lawyer Mathias Chichportich, who is representing the French rugby federation.
(Reporting by Jean Stephane Brosse and Vincent Daheron;Editing by Tangi Salaun and Sudip Kar-Gupta)
