Harinordoquy's dad in hot water

Published: Wednesday, 30. November, 2011 in category France
Harinordoquy: Dad came to his defence

Lucien Harinordoquy walked onto the pitch in the sixth minute and tried to hit Jean Jo Marmouyet when a fight broke out between his son, who plays for France, and a pair of Bayonne players in the Top 14 Basque derby.

However, before he was able to strike Marmouyet, he was tackled to the ground by Bayonne fly-half Benjamin Boyet.

Christian Gajan, director of rugby at Bayonne, criticised the actions of Harinordoquy senior following Biarritz's 21-19 win.

"I found this behaviour deplorable when he came to defend his son early in the match," Gajan told L'Equipe.

"This is an outrageous act."

Bayonne president Michel Cacouault also condemned the incident and revealed the club plans to lodge a complaint.

"It is intolerable. The club will lodge a complaint against M Harinordoquy," he said.

The father of the France back-row forward insisted he would make an official statement to apologise for his actions.