France prop Mohamed Haouas was sentenced to one year in jail for domestic violence but authorised to remain free, French media reported today.
L’Equipe newspaper said Haouas was presented to a court in Montpellier after being taken into custody last week for being violent against his wife in the southerncity.
Haouas received support from his wife during the hearing, L’Equipe reported, adding that conditions for Haouas to avoid jail would be determined later.
“Mohamed went through a difficult childhood,” Haouas’ lawyer, Marc Gallix, was quoted as saying. “He grew up in a tough neighborhood, and scars of the behavior he had when he lived there remain. It’s difficult because he’s managed to settle professionally, but you don’t forget those bad childhood reflexes that easily. I think he needs psychotherapy and treatment. What he did on Friday was inadmissible, but that doesn’t mean he deserved to go to prison.”
The sentencing could cost Haouas, capped 16 times, a place in the Rugby World Cup which France stages in September. Haouas was also expected to switch clubs and join Clermont next season but it was unclear whether the move will happen.
Haouas played in the Six Nations this year but appeared only once after being banned for four matches following his red card against Scotland at Stade de France.
