French handball club has suspended its vice-captain over a rape case
The French club "Sesson-Rennes Métropole," which competes in the top-tier Daikin Starligue, has temporarily suspended vice-captain Théophile Cosse. The reason for the suspension is criminal charges of rape, attempted rape, and domestic violence, which are currently under investigation by law enforcement.
According to French law enforcement, the investigation began after two female acquaintances of the handball player, who were living with him, contacted the police in late June. They provided investigators with photographs that, according to them, showed evidence of violence, and reported that following a party in Nantes, the woman had been subjected to physical and sexual coercion.
During questioning, the athlete’s common-law wife, with whom he is raising two children, reported incidents of domestic violence that, according to her, had been ongoing since 2023. However, she did not confirm that a rape had taken place and refused to file an official report with the police. On July 4, the prosecutor’s office authorized the arrest of the 33-year-old handball player. Kosse spent 13 days in custody, after which the appeals court ruled to release him under judicial supervision pending further consideration of the case. During questioning, the athlete himself categorically denied all allegations of rape and physical violence.
After the case received widespread publicity, the management of “Sesson-Rennes” decided to temporarily suspend the player from the team on the eve of the start of preseason training. “After hearing all sides, management believes that the conditions necessary to ensure a peaceful working environment and the stable development of the organization are currently lacking. At the same time, the club remains committed to the principle of the presumption of innocence in the interests of all parties,” the club said in an official statement.
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