Rugby: France international and Biarritz number eight Imanol Harinordoquy's had to deal with the unusual sight of his father leaping to his rescue in a Basque derby match against Bayonne last night.
Lucien Harinordoquy walked onto the pitch early in the Top 14 league game when his son clashed with a pair of Bayonne players. He then attempted to punch one of them, Jean-Jo Marmouyet, in the face.
Before he was able to make contact with Marmouyet, Harinordoquy senior was tackled by Bayonne outhalf Benjamin Boyet.
"I tackled him because he was attacking one of my team mates. I put him to the ground and (Biarritz hooker) Benoit August told me to stop, because it was Imanol's father," Boyet told French sports daily L'Equipe on Wednesday.
Bayonne president Michel Cacouault condemned the attack and plans to take action against the France loose forward's father.
"It is intolerable. The club will lodge a complaint against Mr Harinordoquy," Cacouault told the club's website (www.abrugby.fr).
Biarritz won the game 21-19.
