The emotion is still extremely strong in Montauban.
The prefecture of Tarn-et-Garonne was the scene of a tragedy which struck one of its idols, Kelly Meafua, 31, Samoan player of the local rugby team, who plays in Pro D2.
The third line was found dead drowned in the Tarn, after a jump or a fall of 22 m from a bridge in the city, on the night of Friday to last Saturday, after the third half of a match against Narbonne.
This Monday, a rally in memory of this much appreciated figure of the club took place on the lawn of Sapiac, the legendary stadium of Montauban.
A kitty on the Leetchi platform was also opened by Stéphane Munoz, the team captain.
It aims to raise funds to support Priscilla, the player's companion, and the future child she is expecting.
“Following the tragic accident of Kelly Meafua which occurred on May 7, his partner and his child who will be born in August are in pain.
Through this kitty in France, we want to help Priscilla and her unborn baby girl in tribute to Kelly and the Dad he is and would have been, ”is it written on Leetchi.
In this drama, Kelly leaves behind a family, his wife Priscilla who was expecting a baby.
Here is the kitty launched by his teammates to be able to support them.
For the father he was and would have been.#ForKelly #8 #AllezSapiachttps://t.co/ZpbuPU7lbQ
— USM Sapiac (@UsmSapiacRugby) May 10, 2022
The player, who had passed through Béziers and Narbonne, received tributes from several former teammates and fellow players who made the trip to Montauban on Monday.
The supporters and the entire USM team and staff were also present on Monday evening.
Very moved, the president of the club Jean-Claude Maillard also reacted to the terrible tragedy which affected US Montauban, calling to draw the consequences on the dangers of the third halves.
"There are two phases: the first, the immense sadness that we experience," he said, according to L'Equipe.
And the second, trying to understand what happened and learn from it.
And you must not forget to do so.
Because what happened in Montauban has already happened around the world and will happen again.
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