Pétanque Tournament Near Toulouse Descends into Violence

A qualifying round for the Haute-Garonne pétanque championship in Portet-sur-Garonne, near Toulouse, France, was disrupted on Saturday, February 28, 2026, after a player physically assaulted the referee. The incident occurred when the referee asked the player to extinguish a cigarette, a violation of tournament rules.

Smoking Ban and Initial Disqualification

According to Raymond Le Manach, president of the departmental pétanque committee, the referee initially warned the player to position out his cigarette. After the player failed to comply, he was disqualified. The referee then disqualified the entire team due to the threatening behavior of the player’s teammates.

Physical Assault and Injuries

Visibly angered by the decision, the player attacked the referee. While the referee managed to avoid the first two attempts, the third blow struck him in the stomach. Le Manach noted the player was holding a pétanque ball during the assault. The referee is reportedly suffering from an internal hematoma.

Further Damage and Legal Action

The incident escalated beyond the initial assault. The other two members of the player’s team damaged property, breaking a window at the club-house. Both the referee and the club are expected to file complaints with the police.

Suspension and Disciplinary Proceedings

Le Manach stated he will request a provisional suspension of all three players pending a hearing before the disciplinary council. The federation will then handle the case, leading to both judicial and sporting consequences. He emphasized the rarity of such a serious incident, calling the attack “shocking” and expressing concern for the referee’s well-being.

Pétanque in Haute-Garonne

The Comité de pétanque et de jeu provençal de la Haute-Garonne promotes the sport, highlighting its benefits including address, concentration, endurance, stress management, and respect for rules and others. More information about the committee can be found on their website.