Former France lock 'ashamed' of his club Clermont as concussion sparks retirement

Former France international Sebastien Vahaamahina said on Saturday he has been forced into retirement due to concussion and accused his Top 14 club Clermont of failing to accept responsibility for his condition.

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The 31-year-old said he is suffering repeated episodes of chronic fatigue and headaches and expressed anger about the way he was laid off.

"I am ashamed for my club due to this dismissal for incapacity," the veteran lock forward said. "I can't face setting foot in the stadium. I told the management that they had ruined everything."

Vahaamahina joined Clermont from Perpignan in 2014 and made 154 appearances for the club.

But he has not played since December 2022, and has undergone two bouts of surgery while awaiting a financial settlement from the club.

"Five months have passed and they could have made me a decent and clear proposal to properly end my story with the club," he told sports daily L'Equipe.

"I have more and more symptoms after each concussion, with an impact on my life as a professional rugby player but also on my private life," said the 46-times France capped player.

Clermont 32-16 Stade Francais

Pau 40-3 Castres

Racing92 55-14 Bayonne 

Lyon 41-13 Perpignan

Montpellier 26-27 Brive

Toulon 8-23 La Rochelle

Sunday:

Toulouse v Bordeaux-Begles (21:05 SA time)

Two former Clermont players, Jamie Cudmore and Alexandre Lapandry, who have retired on incapacity grounds, have also sued the club for damages.

"The club continues to play for time and hope that I give up. I thought I deserved more respect. I am disappointed and hurt," added Vahaamahina.

He joins a growing list of players who have denounced the failings of the game's