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Mathieu Bastareaud - Source: Photosport -
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Mathieu Bastareaud, who claimed he was attacked as he returned
to his Wellington hotel, has tried to kill himself, according to a
French media report.
Bastareaud, 20, lied that he was set on from behind by up to five
men following the second rugby Test between France at the All
Blacks in Wellington on June 20, leaving him with a serious eye
injury.
Police investigated the incident for several days last week, before
Bastareaud admitted he lied.
He said he had drunk too much after his France's 14-10 loss to the
All Blacks and had hit his head on a table back at the hotel.
French website L'Equipe reported that Bastareaud would have liked
to "end his days".
Max Guazzini, president of Bastareaud's club side Stade Francais,
told French media the player was now being treated at an unnamed
Paris facility due to "severe psychological problems".
Mr Guazzini said Bastareaud was "completely ruined" and needed
rest. He would remain under observation for two weeks.
The latest twist in the saga followed reports that Bastareaud's
injuries may have actually been caused by a punch from a
team-mate.
"Drunk and aggressive, Bastareaud was reportedly calmed down by a
fist from one of his teammates," the daily Le Parisien
reported.
Louis Picamoles and Fulgence Ouedraogo were both reported to have
been involved in the incident, although both players
denied the claims.
An internal investigation by the team said Picamoles and Ouedraogo
arrived back at the Holiday Inn at 5.22am on June 21 in a taxi with
two women.
Bastareaud arrived at the same time in a second taxi.
Picamoles and Bastareaud were among four injured players who flew
home from the tour last Monday, while Ouedraogo stayed on to play
against the Wallabies.
Bastareaud admitted fabricating the street attack in a statement on
the Stade Francais website.
"I was ashamed and panicked and I thought I would be sent packing
by the team management," he said.
"I told the original story because I thought it would be believed,
but given the coverage it has subsequently received I thought it
would be better to tell the truth."
