Rugby player fighting for life after being punched in the head during match

The 23-year-old is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a fractured skull in the “senseless and unacceptable” incident

An amateur rugby player is fighting for his life in hospital after allegedly being punched in the head by an opponent during a match.

Noha Loubety, a 23-year-old wing for French club US Severac XV, is in a critical condition following the shocking incident during his side’s reserve team match against AS Maureilhan-Montady on Sunday. According to reports from France, Loubety was allegedly “punched violently in the temple” by an opposition player following a tackle towards the end of the game.

The incident has left the young wing with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain and he is currently in a coma after being airlifted to hospital in Toulouse and undergoing major surgery on Monday.

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The player who is alleged to have thrown the punch was immediately sent off by the referee and was later arrested and taken into police custody for “intentional violence resulting in an incapacity exceeding eight days in a sports venue,” according to French media.

Having reportedly been given “a life-threatening prognosis”, a photo of Loubety in hospital has been shared on social media, with clubs across France sending messages of support to his family and teammates.

Sharing the photo of Loubety in hospital, his family wrote on social media: “He came to play rugby, his passion. Today, his life is in danger because of unacceptable violence.

“Our family is devastated and angry.”

In a club statement, US Severac XV said they were awaiting further details regarding Loubety’s condition but hoped for “reassuring news” as they vowed to support his relatives during the “painful ordeal”.

“It is with immense emotion that we speak today following the events that occurred this Sunday during our reserve team’s match against AS Maureilhan-Montady,” the statement from the ninth-tier side read.

“As you know, our player Noha Loubety was very seriously injured just minutes before the end of the match, after being punched in the temple. He is currently being treated by the medical teams, and we are awaiting further developments regarding his condition.

“The entire club sends its love, support, and most sincere thoughts to Noha, his parents, his sister, and all his family and loved ones. In this painful ordeal, US Sévérac XV stands fully by their side and will support them with all the solidarity that is the strength of our club.”

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The statement added: “Rugby is a sport founded on respect, commitment, and brotherhood, values to which we are unwaveringly attached. We warmly thank the many clubs, players, supporters, and individuals for their messages of support, which demonstrate the unity of the rugby family during these difficult times.

“Today, all our thoughts and hopes are with Noha. We hope to be able to give you reassuring news very soon.”

AS Maureilhan-Montady, meanwhile, said it “condemned in the strongest possible terms” the act that left Loubety critically ill in hospital.

In a statement, the club said it “expresses its deep emotion and unwavering support for Noha, a player for US Sévérac XV, as well as for his family and his club. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the isolated act of which he was the victim during the match between the two reserve teams.”

The French Rugby Federation also issued a statement to Le Parisien, in which it said it “firmly condemns the senseless and unacceptable act,” adding that the regional league’s disciplinary committee had been notified.

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