Another Georgia international has been handed a huge ban...

Tuesday, 21 July 2026 at 10:37

byCharlie Elliott

Nevers prop Ilia Kaikatsishvili has had his suspension increased to 20 weeks after the French Rugby Federation successfully appealed the punishment handed down following an altercation with Béziers prop Youssef Amrouni.

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L'Equipe reports that the FFR confirmed on Monday that its Federal Appeals Commission had extended the Georgian front rower's original 12 week ban after reviewing the case.

Kaikatsishvili and Amrouni were initially suspended for 12 weeks by the National Rugby League (LNR) Disciplinary Commission in May following an incident that took place after Nevers' dramatic 44-41 victory over Béziers in Round 25 on April 3.

The match itself had major implications in the Pro D2 relegation battle. Nevers claimed their first win of 2026 to move above Béziers in the standings, increasing the pressure on their rivals.

What followed after the final whistle was even more dramatic. Midi Olympique reports alleged that tensions first erupted when Nevers players who had not featured in the match taunted Béziers players, leading to an official report over a touchline confrontation.

The situation then escalated during the post match reception, where Kaikatsishvili and Amrouni reportedly agreed to continue their dispute behind the Béziers team bus in the stadium car park.

Punches were allegedly exchanged, with Kaikatsishvili reportedly suffering a broken nose. Nevers president Régis Dumange later confirmed the prop required treatment from the club doctor, although accounts from both clubs differed over how the altercation began.

The incident was part of an extraordinary aftermath that reportedly also included a blocked team bus and even a car chase on a nearby major road.

Après les échauffourées qui avaient suivi la rencontre entre Nevers et Béziers, les deux joueurs Ilia Kaikatsishvili (Nevers) et Youssef Amrouni (Béziers) ont tous deux écopé de 12 semaines de suspension et 5 000 euros d'amende. Ils ont été reconnus coupables de "Comportement(s)… pic.twitter.com/LG5HxOv2K9

— Gauthier Baudin (@GauthierBaudin) May 21, 2026

The FFR chose to appeal the original sanctions, with the Federal Appeals Commission meeting on July 16 before increasing Kaikatsishvili's suspension to 20 weeks.

The Commission ruled that the prop was guilty of:

"Undermining the best interests of rugby," and more specifically, "any deliberate violation of federal regulations or behaviour likely to harm the image, reputation, or interests of rugby or the Federation."

The suspension will now be served during the upcoming season.