THIERRY ZOCCOLAN / AFP
Sébastien Vahaamahina, here in December 2021, will have to end his career after a new concussion.
RUGBY – ” It’s too much “. The second international line of Clermont Sébastien Vahaamahina will have to put an end to his career after a new concussion, he indicated in an interview with The Teamwhere he criticizes the French club for not assuming its responsibilities.
Vahaamahina (31 years old, 46 selections) has not played with Clermont since December 10 and a match against the South African franchise of the Stormers (24-14), in the Champions Cup.
“In six years, this is the tenth (concussion) listed. There were others, but apparently they weren’t recorded in my medical records. I have increasingly strong symptoms after each concussion, with an impact on my life as a professional rugby player but also on my private life.Vahaamahina told the sports daily The Teamtelling his ” headache “his “dizziness”In ” fatigue “…
“A week later, I wanted to come to the stadium driving alone. Result: I fell asleep in the parking lot when I arrived, I was so exhausted from having driven not even fifteen minutes. We also had to postpone my nose operation because anesthesia was not recommended in my condition.he continued.
“I am ashamed for my club”
After two operations, the former Brive and Perpignan player, who arrived at Marcel-Michelin in 2014, has “resumed an almost normal life”but keep living with it “a sharp sword above the head”.
“Five months have passed and they (the leaders of Clermont, editor’s note) could have made me a decent and clear proposal to end my story with the club properly. If they haven’t, they don’t want to. The club continues to buy time and hope that I give up. I thought I deserved more respect. I am disappointed and hurt”said the second line again.
“I understood that the ASM surely had other things to do than take care of its old soldiers”he added.
During the week, club and player received a letter from the FFR, indicating the withdrawal of Vahaamahina’s license “following a letter from the ASM doctor and a recommendation from the medical commission before which I was never summoned”according to the native of Nouméa who explains that he has not received any prior information.
“I am ashamed for my club while my dismissal for incapacity is in progress. I have a lot of trouble setting foot in the stadium. I told the leaders that they had ruined everything, as if they had erased everything. I was programmed to play, to give it my all and perform.”he observes.
“We are like cars for them. And when we’re screwed, we go to the scrapyard”
Sébastien Noise of wax
“They had to and must protect us. Players have duties but also rights. They are in a hurry to finish me off. All of this is unfair. They do not assume. We are like cars for them. And when we’re screwed, we go to the scrapyard”says Vahaamahina again, believing that “on several occasions, the rest periods after concussions have not been respected”.
Vahaamahina has just added his name to the growing list of players who denounce the failings of the authorities, such as former All Blacks pillar Carl Hayman or former Rose XV hooker Steve Thompson. He is also the third ASM player to denounce the attitude of the Auvergne club, after second line Jamie Cudmore and third line Alexandre Lapandry, who filed a complaint against the club for “endangering the lives of others “.
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