New update on rugby player left in coma following on-field punch

According to the Occitanie Rugby League (LOR), the 23-year-old winger, who had been attacked during the match, has come out of his coma. His life, which was initially in danger, now appears to be stable, with the LOR noting a slight improvement in his condition in a statement released Tuesday.

Their statement reads, "The injured player's vital prognosis, initially critical, seems to have improved this morning, with a slight improvement in his health condition, much to everyone's relief."

The incident took place during the final play of the Regional 2 match against Maureilhan-Montady on Sunday in Aveyron, when the young player from Séverac-d'Aveyron was punched hard in the temple by an opponent, who was immediately sent off by the referee. Loubéty fell unconscious on the field, briefly regained consciousness before his condition suddenly worsened.

Emergency services took charge of Loubéty, airlifting him in critical condition to Montpellier before he was admitted to the intensive care unit of the neurology department at Purpan University Hospital in Toulouse. He is believed to be suffering from a skull fracture and a cerebral hemorrhage. On Monday, his father, Hugues Loubéty, shared a photo of his son intubated, receiving an IV drip, and connected to numerous sensors in his hospital bed, with a large bandage around his head.

"He came to play rugby, his passion. Today, his life is in danger because of unacceptable violence," his family wrote in a message posted on social media the day after the incident. "Our family is devastated and angry."

The legal classification of the incident will largely depend on Noha Loubéty's recovery. Meanwhile, the man who threw the punch, born in 2005, was taken into custody on Sunday for acts of violence resulting in an incapacity exceeding eight days in a sports venue.

The Occitanie Rugby League is closely monitoring Noha Loubéty's health through the president of its medical commission, who remains in constant contact with his parents. A psychological support unit from the French Rugby Federation is available to players, officials, and volunteers affected by this incident, which occurred at the end of a match that had been relatively uneventful on the pitch.

"None of the parties involved condone this action," summarised the LOR, which specifies that the Disciplinary Council, a "completely independent" body, has been notified of the case. Its members will be able to rely, in particular, on the referee's report, which reportedly states he was "very shocked," and includes video evidence. "Sporting sanctions commensurate with this unacceptable act" are expected against the person who threw the punch.