Colomiers statement: Contract terminated after failed doping test

Hooker Youssef Saaidia has been sacked by Colomiers just weeks before the start of the new Pro D2 season in France. The 27-year-old had been suspended by the French Anti-Doping Agency after he was found to have used a prohibited substance in a doping test conducted following the Colomiers playoff win last season over Oyonnax on May 20.

It was reported by La Depeche on July 30 that the front-rower had not had any contact with the club since the beginning of last month, explaining that the standoff with Colomiers began after it emerged following the drugs test that Saaidia allegedly hadn’t paid attention to the composition of a food supplement.

He was suspended as a precaution ahead of the final decision from the French Anti-Doping Agency within the next six months, but Colomiers have now pre-empted the outcome of that hearing by tearing up the contract Saaidia has with them just over two weeks before their new tier-two campaign commences with an August 26 game at home to Carcassonne.

A club statement read: “Colomiers Rugby announces that it has put an end to the contractual relationship linking it to its professional player, Youssef Saaidia. This is due to a positive doping control carried out by the French Anti-Doping Agency involving the suspension of the player.

“The club and Youssef terminated the employment contract of the latter by mutual agreement. The club regrets this situation, especially for a player from the Colomiers pathway. It is obvious that Colomiers Rugby and its people in no way endorse this practice, which goes against our values and those of our sport.”

Saaidia had featured in tier-two matches for Colomiers over the past seven seasons and had played 16 times in 2021/22 - eleven as a starter - and scored six tries for Julien Sarraute’s team. He now risks a two-year suspension following the failed doping test.