The man behind the assault on Aveyron player Noha Loubéty during an amateur match at the end of February has been suspended for a minimum of one year, while a life ban has been requested by the Ligue Occitanie, according to several media outlets belonging to the La Dépêche du Midi group.

The events took place on 22 February at Sévérac-d’Aveyron, during a fixture between the local side and Maureilhan-Montady. Late in the match, a player struck his opponent in the head, causing serious injuries including a brain haemorrhage.

Sitting as a disciplinary committee, the Ligue Occitanie is reported to have handed down a 52-week suspension, the minimum sanction laid down for this kind of case, while also asking the French rugby federation to consider a life ban, an exceptional measure.

Court proceedings are running in parallel. The player concerned has been charged with “wilful violence resulting in permanent disability” and placed under judicial supervision, including a ban on taking part in any rugby-related activity.

The victim, aged 23, was rushed to hospital and then operated on. His condition has since stabilised, even if uncertainty remains over the medical consequences.

The case has caused deep emotion across rugby and led the governing bodies to restate their determination to step up the fight against violence on the pitch.