Rugby Journalist Assaulted On Air at Aurillac Match After Biarritz Win

Overview

• Thomas Palmier, a commentator for ICI Pays Basque, was attacked in the press tribune at Aurillac’s Stade Jean-Alric while on air Friday, with audio capturing him shouting “Tu veux me frapper?” and “Laisse-moi bosser.”
• The Ligue Nationale de Rugby opened an investigation Saturday and said it will take necessary measures with the club and authorities, stressing that journalists’ safety and the freedom to report must be protected.
• Palmier plans to file a criminal complaint Sunday in Paris, and Stade Aurillacois says it will lodge a report, seek to join as a civil party, and move to impose stadium bans once suspects are identified.
• Club president Christian Millette said staff are working with security and police to name the attackers, and a local supporters’ group publicly disowned those responsible.
• Colleagues said Palmier was taunted, pushed, and had his headset targeted during much of the second half in a tense Pro D2 match that Biarritz won 27-24, referring to Pro D2 as France’s second-tier league.