Rugby sensation Richard Dourthe is caught in a whirlwind of controversy after a video surfaced showing him lifting a woman’s skirt at the lively Féria de Dax festival in France. The clip, shared by influencer Charline Pradeau, quickly went viral, racking up over a million views on TikTok and stirring public outrage. Many were shocked and appalled by the incident, as captions slammed the behaviour and hoped Dourthe was held accountable.
Feeling the heat from the backlash, the 50-year-old former France international swiftly issued a statement via his lawyer. He expressed regret, admitting his actions were inappropriate but staunchly denied any sexist intent. Dourthe has even launched a defamation suit against Pradeau, claiming she twisted the facts for attention. His lawyer emphasised that Dourthe apologised to the woman immediately but also pointed out that the video did not capture the full context of the event.
In response, Pradeau has stood firm, asserting the video was unaltered and the footage speaks for itself. Her statement highlights the absurdity of a middle-aged man behaving in such a manner, irrespective of the circumstances.
This incident casts a shadow on Dourthe’s illustrious rugby career, where he once shined as the all-time top scorer in France’s Top 14 league and played a significant role in iconic victories for the French national team. Post-retirement, Dourthe transitioned to punditry, leaving fans and colleagues stunned by this recent turn of events.
As the dust settles, the episode vividly illustrates the powerful intersection of social media and personal accountability, reminding everyone of the swift consequences actions can have in the digital age. What are your thoughts on this incident? Share them in the comments below!