Hans Nkinsi, the ASBH second row, has been reinstated in the collective but will not play a match

Hans Nkinsi resumed training this Thursday, January 30. Midi Libre – MICHAEL ESDOURRUBAILH

In December 2024, Hans Nkinsi was sentenced, at first instance, by the Béziers court, to 1 year in prison for domestic violence. He appealed this decision, which suspends his sentence. From a legal point of view, he can therefore play again. The ASBH has just given him back the right to put his cleats back on. But only for training.

Hans Nkinsi returned to training on Thursday, January 30. On December 16, 2024, the ASBH second row was sentenced to one year in prison by the Béziers court for domestic violence. He appealed this sentence. And while waiting for the judgment of this appeal, he can, from a strictly legal point of view, put his boots back on…

Hans Nkinsi had been suspended by his club since October 2024, when the facts he is accused of were made known. Having gone without news from his management for many weeks, while his teammates and staff had unanimously voted for his return, he has just been given the green light to resume training. ASBH is currently suffering from a shortage of second-row players due to injuries. But Hans Nkinsi will not play any matches…

“He will not wear the jersey during official matches”

“At the beginning of January, he officially informed the club that he had appealed his conviction, explains Arthur Bachès, the general director of ASBH. His sentence being suspended until the next verdict of the appeal court, the club's decision was to say that he can resume training. On the other hand, until this appeal has been judged, he will not be able to wear the club's jersey during official matches.”

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“Impossible until further notice”

The club also thought about its image: having Hans Nkinsi play again could be viewed badly by all those who believe, while awaiting his final judgment, that he committed unforgivable acts. In any case, in terms of the law, the club could not prevent him from returning to the club : “As employers, the means of action are limited with regard to regulations and labor law, notes the general director of ASBH. We cannot prevent him from working. But the presidents (Andrew Mehrtens and Robert Skinstad, editor's note)made it clear to the player that he has a public profession. Which implies an even stronger respect for the rules. There are supporters, partners, communities who support and follow him. This must be taken into account. This is why the presidents decided that he will not be able to participate in official or public performances of the club, in matches. The image of ASBH could suffer, even if these are facts that happened in his private life and Hans has appealed. We respect labor law, his contract and keep him active. But wearing the jersey officially will not be possible until further notice.”

Taleta Tupuola “wanted to make amends”

For his part, in November 2024, Taleta Tupuola was sentenced to 14 months in prison suspended for domestic violence. He was reinstated within the club and plays all the matches. He has joined an association that helps victims of domestic violence or people in vulnerable situations: “He gives his time outside of his working hours, notes Arthur Bachès. It's a tripartite agreement between him, the club and this association. It's his decision. He wanted to make amends and we helped him put all this in place.”

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