{
  "id": 8632551,
  "title": "Rugby players’ millions vanish in €100m French club deal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/rugby-players-millions-vanish-in-100m-french-club-deal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T07:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/2026-09-20-rugby-players-millions-vanish-in-100m-french-club-deal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Springbok wing Makazole Mapimpi's agent and former World Cup star Johan Roux have been embroiled in controversy after convincing rugby players to invest millions in a French club. The funds, however, were transferred to an Italian man's bank account in Poland, where a criminal case has been opened. Anthony Johnson and Roux told the players that their money was urgently needed to secure a €100 million loan for buying the club. Both men admitted that they too were victims, with Johnson's life in turmoil and Roux's marriage suffering. The players, who had put their own money into the deal, are now seeking restitution, though Roux declined to confirm the amount. A former rugby player described the situation as \"f---ing s---show.\"",
  "summary": "A planned purchase of French rugby club Béziers never happened after players paid money towards a promised €100 million loan. The agent and former Springbok involved say they too were victims of the failed deal.",
  "key_points": [
    "€100 million vanished in French club deal",
    "Funds transferred to Italian man's Polish account",
    "Players seek restitution, Roux declines comment"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}