“We have a project for him”: Montpellier makes official the return of pillar Mohamed Haouas, one year after his departure

A year after leaving the club for Biarritz, against the backdrop of a conviction for domestic violence, right pillar Mohamed Haouas will return to his training club next season. A return conditional on a social project.

“Mohamed Haouas is a social case. We have a project for him. We want to support him, help him put him on the right path. Even more than in the past. And in sporting terms, we need it”, this is how president Mohed Altrad justified the return of the right pillar in an interview with Midi Libre.

It is now a done deal. The international right pillar (29 years old, 16 caps) will join his training club at the end of this season, after a season in Pro D2, in Biarritz. In difficulty in the scrum sector since the start of the season, the MHR will find a solid element and a sure value in this area. But it will also be linked to a social project with the player.

“The story between Mohamed Haouas and the MHR is marked by a significant social dimension. Coming from the Petit Bard district of Montpellier, Mohamed has taken an unusual path to become a professional rugby player. Despite Mohamed's past mistakes, President Mohed Altrad has decided to offer him a second chance, thus underlining the club's commitment to social inclusion and rehabilitation”, the club explains in a press release.

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Social actions

Indeed, the player, sentenced to one year in prison for domestic violence against his wife on May 30, 2023, will have to participate in actions linked to the Center for the Support of Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (CPCA) which raises awareness among men who commit domestic violence.

“Mohamed Haouas will return to the GGL Stadium this summer with a one-season contract, conditional on exemplary behavior. As part of its commitment to social reintegration, the MHR will provide additional support to Mohamed Haouas off the field, by collaborating with the Center for the Support of Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (CPCA Sud Occitanie)”, continues the MHR.

Hands outstretched

From the first days of the violence affair, the president of the MHR, Mohed Altrad, had explained that he would not “wouldn't let go” the player. “I would have found it scandalous to turn away from Mohamed because he had made a mistake, to continue on my way and wash my hands of it”, announced Mohed Altrad while condemning the facts and giving his full support to the player's wife.

“I would like to thank the MHR and the president Mohed Altrad for reaching out to me and offering me a new chance where many have turned their backs on me. I owe this club a lot and today, I feel ready to give back everything it has given me. I have already taken steps, with the help of the club, with a Montpellier association that will help me work on myself and on the actions I have made that I regret. I am grateful for this opportunity and I will give my all, on and off the pitch, to prove right those who trusted me when I needed it most”, assures the player.

Read also: MHR transfer window: Joshua Moorby signed with Montpellier, Antoine Frisch declined and Mako Vunipola rejected

On the sporting front, the arrival of Mohamed Haouas is added to that of the English third row Billy Vunipola or the New Zealand fullback Josh Moorby.