Red tape leaves Lyon's Semi Radradra stuck in Fiji – report

Visa red tape has left Semi Radradra stuck in Fiji and he could now miss the start of the new 2024/25 Top 14 season for Lyon, who have a September 7 opener away to Montpellier. The 32-year-old midfielder, who moved back to France last season after a three-year stint in England with Bristol, played for Fiji versus the All Blacks on July 20 in San Diego.

Following that game in the United States, he returned to the Pacific Islands but a paperwork issue regarding his son has meant that Radradra still hasn’t returned to France 11 days before his club’s opening game.

It’s believed that he thought he could travel back to France without a visa for his son but boarding was denied and a race is now on to provide the necessary paperwork. A L’Equipe report read: “Less than two weeks before the resumption of the Top 14, Semi Radradra has still not returned to France.

“The Fijian centre is stuck in his native country due to a visa problem for his son. The fault lies in a French administration imbroglio that is delaying the return of the Lyon player.

“His son, less than a year old and born on French soil, is listed on his father's passport, which implied that he did not need a visa to go to France. Except that when leaving Fiji where Radradra spent his holidays, boarding was refused to the son of the Fijian international.

“A visa was ultimately necessary. The application, which is transiting via Singapore for administrative reasons, was sent urgently but the processing time can take up to 10 days. Radradra will be back in France on Friday at the earliest but he is in any case expected before the resumption of the Top 14. An update will be made upon his arrival on his physical condition.”