Ex-Ireland rugby international sacked by French club after rape trial conviction


Former Ireland centre Chris Farrell has been sacked by Oyonnax following his rape trial conviction.



Farrell, 31, was not imprisoned but received a four-year sentence, with two years suspended, for failure to prevent a crime.



He was one of five men convicted in connection with the rape that took place almost eight years ago, when Farrell was playing for Grenoble. Former Ireland under-20 international Denis Coulson was sentenced to 14 years in prison after he was found guilty of rape.



READ MORE: Former Irish rugby player found guilty of rape in France



READ MORE:Chris Farrell steps away from Munster over alleged rape case in France



Farrell, an ex-Ulster and Munster backline star, must wear an electronic tag and remain in France for the remainder of his sentence, which was handed down in mid-December.



Capped 15 times by Ireland, Farrell moved to Oyonnax in early 2023 after stepping away from Munster in September 2022, when it was announced that the case was going to court.



He had played 31 times for the D2 club up to the end of November, a fortnight before the trial. Also sacked was veteran Kiwi Rory Grice, who was found guilty of rape and given a 12-year sentence.



"Following the verdict delivered by the Gironde Assize Court on December 13, 2024 concerning the criminal case involving Rory Grice and Chris Farrell, the board of directors met to decide on their future within the club's professional workforce," read an Oyonnax statement.



"Also, after having taken note of the criminal convictions handed down against the two players, the members of the Council unanimously took the decision to terminate the contracts of Rory Grice and Chris Farrell. The club will not make any further comment on this matter."



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