French international breaks silence to warn players against blind loyalty
This article is based on an article in L’Équipe
Earlier this month French back rower Alexandre Lapandry spoke out about what he says is mistreatment by his Top 14 club. His words barely caused a ripple on UK shores.
That they didn’t is a surprise. Not because Lapandry’s story is unique, but because French-born players are fiercely loyal to their clubs. To speak out against their ‘family’ is unthinkable, some would say unforgivable.
There’s something to admire in this romantic ideal, but with professionalism now having passed its 25th year is their blind loyalty deserved? Is it reciprocated? Unlikely. Rugby is now a business like any other. France has more money swilling around than other nations but even their bean counters will have their limits.
Lapandry played 261 matches for ASM Clermont Auvergne in a 12-year career and went on earn 13 French caps following his debut in 2009. Said to be ‘loyal and discreet’ Lapandry, told L’Équipe that he suffered “deep humiliation” and has been forced to retire after he suffered a stroke on the pitch.
"I am obliged to speak out,” Lapandry said justifying his decision to take legal action against Clermont which he says was trying to push him out while he was still undergoing treatment for his serious condition.
It’s two years since his terrible head injury against Stade Français, in October 2020, which more than two months later was identified as a cerebellar stroke, a rare and serious condition.
After many months of silence, he has announced the end of his career and a legal action with four complaints against Clermont filed 30th November.
“If I don't speak out, who else will? The ASM wanted to put the financial aspect before my health,” Lapandry told L’Équipe.
“It has been difficult and painful but my priority has become my health. Talking about all this is not an easy thing for me, as I am by nature discreet, but I want to do it so that there is a collective awareness on the subject of players' health.
“I had the feeling that I was not sufficiently followed up after my injury, that some people at the club put financial interests before health, and I want to say this so that future generations can better protect themselves.”
Below are some edited responses from questions L’Équipe put to Lapandry.
What happened in your case?
After the head injury against Stade Français, I was stopped for three weeks, according to the protocol, because it was my second concussion in less than twelve months. After validating the non-contact training stages, I hoped to be retained against Castres but from the first shock, during training, I felt the same tremor as a month earlier, a sensation of dizziness. I reported it immediately and stopped training. From then on, all the symptoms that had disappeared reappeared: headaches, dizziness... I was really unwell.
What exactly did you feel?
A lot of pressure in my skull, permanent headaches, dizziness, hypersensitivity to light. And, above all, a great deal of discomfort. I had no control over my brain or my behaviour. I told the ASM medical staff several times but I had the impression that they didn't take me seriously. The doctors associated my symptoms with depression, linked to the recent death of my father.
Didn't you go for a consultation elsewhere?
I called Jean Chazal, a retired neurosurgeon (who followed the ASM players a few years ago) for help. I described my condition to him, the link made with the bereavement. He told me: "No, it's serious, and it has nothing to do with your dad.” I had an emergency MRI.
The results of the MRI revealed a dissection of the left vertebral artery and a cerebellar stroke (a rare and serious condition of the cerebellum)?
Yes, more than two months after my last game, and with training in between! When the radiologist told me that I had a blood clot in my brain, that I had had a stroke, I was not surprised. Even worse, I felt relieved. I finally had a precise diagnosis, in relation to the abnormal and persistent nature of the problems I was experiencing. From then on, my vascular problem was very well taken care of at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital; it was purely traumatic and not due to a congenital cause or any other anomaly as some people might have suggested. I spent five months on anticoagulants, with blood tests every week.
What was the reaction at the club?
When they realised the reality and the seriousness of my injury, they tried to give a version that was not accurate (they wanted to publish a press release that their doctors had made a remarkable catch by requesting an MRI). I objected to this publication, I was stunned. Frankly, I could have accepted that the medical staff were wrong about the severity of my injury and I don't think I would have complained about that. But for them to try and get away with saying things that are not true is unacceptable. The way the management acted afterwards too.
What does that mean?
In January and March 2021, during two meetings, the club president Jean-Michel Guillon, when I told him that I couldn't decide to stop my career without having completed my treatment, gave me his confidence by telling me that the club would never let me down. I was happy, I believed him.
Did you need to be heard?
I really would have liked us all to get round the table to protect my health, my interests and those of the club. An agreement would have been reached quickly. So, the president agreed to a meeting with the club's doctors. Their opinion was not to let me continue playing rugby. For them, the risk was too great. I understand that and I also understand that they sent my file to the FFR medical commission to ask for an additional opinion, so that I could make the right decision. Before deciding to stop my career, I needed to measure all the risks. I had two years left on my contract, there was no urgency. Except that evening I received an e-mail from the FFR: "Your licence is suspended with immediate effect. Without any medical consultation from the Federation. Underneath, there was a little note: "Thank you for what you have done for French rugby."
How did you feel?
I was offended, humiliated. No more licence and the ASM didn't have a word. No news for three weeks. It was the most undignified moment I've ever experienced. At the official handover of the shirts for the departing players, I was not invited. So I wasn't one of them?
Since the beginning of your career, you have remained loyal to your club; what is it that drives you to speak out? Some people might think that you want money above all...
Those people have surely never had serious health problems... A few months ago, it would have been completely impossible for me to imagine such an action. When Jamie Cudmore did it (in 2019), I thought he had his reasons but it was out of my reality. I'm a quiet guy, I don't want to make waves. At first, I thought that talking would go against who I am, these values of group, of solidarity, but no, it's completely in line with me. Talking today is my duty to transmit. If I don't do it, who will? I am obliged to speak, to say what happened to me so that the guys behind me are not reduced to justifying their state of health when they have broken their heads for the club.
It's a strange end?
Yes, I felt abandoned; for two years I voluntarily disappeared from the radar to protect my health, my club and my teammates. The supporters, the old-timers with whom I used to drink a beer after the matches, have not heard from me again, but I haven't forgotten them. Even if I won't be able to celebrate my farewell with them, put on my boots and walk on Michelin one last time, I will always be faithful to them. Rugby is a wonderful sport.
This article is based on the original which can be viewed here: https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Article/Alexandre-lapandry-justifie-son-depot-de-plaintes-contre-clermont-je-suis-oblige-de-parler/1368587
“Some people at the club put financial interests before health, and I want to say this so that future generations can better protect themselves.”