Champion of France with Castres in 2013, former third-line Ibrahim Diarra died at the age of 36 from a heart attack, we learned from sources close to the player on Wednesday.
Friday, the Olympic Castres had announced that the French international of Senegalese origin was hospitalized in Paris, at the Georges-Pompidou hospital, in "A critical state". After a heart alert, Diarra suffered a stroke at home, and was operated on at Georges-Pompidou Hospital. Relatives of the player announced that he then had several strokes that had caused brain damage so irreversible that treatment was being considered.
Diarra, nicknamed "Ibou", was crowned champion of France in 2013 with Castres where he played from 2009 to 2016. He once wore the jersey of the Blues in 2008, against Italy, during a meeting of the Tournament of the six nations. Revealed in Montauban (2005-2009), he ended his career with two almost white seasons in Pau (2016-2017), then Lavaur (2017-2018).
In total, Ibrahim Diarra has played some 180 Top 14 games, the vast majority with Castres. Racing 92 rugby director Laurent Travers, who remained close to Diarra whom he had trained in Montauban and then Castres, welcomed the "Joie de vivre" from his former player. "It brought laughter, sunshine. And he gave everything on the ground "said Travers.