Racing 92 smell a rat.
When their Springbok fly-half Johan Goosen announced his retirement with immediate effect last month, there were many raised eyebrows in French rugby.
He is only 24 years of age, after all.
His reasons were a change of career and new job as a “commercial director” in his native South Africa, but Ronan O’Gara’s Racing have been suspicious from the start.
Reports in France subsequently linked Goosen with a move to Gloucester, who are in the process of being taken over by Montpellier’s owner Mohad Altrad.
Having just signed a contract extension with the Paris club, Goosen would have been unable to switch to the Premiership club without taking this drastic action. So goes the thinking, which has led Racing to sensationally accuse their star man of “blatant fraud” in another magnificent club statement.
It seems Goosen has flown the coop and left his Paris residence, despite still being listed in Racing’s squad for Saturday’s rescheduled Champions Cup match with Munster.
In light of his absence from training, Racing have resolved to launch civil and criminal proceedings against the South African.
“In response to Johan Goosen’s behaviour, Racing 92 is forced to initiate several legal proceedings aimed at enforcing its rights and redressing the harm done to the club. Racing 92 believes that the club is a victim of blatant fraud which Johan Goosen, his associates and various advisers must answer for in court,” reads the French club’s statement.
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