The former Toyota Cheetahs flyhalf failed to turn up to training on Monday and Tuesday and the charges being laid against him will include desertion and possible fraud.

In a media statement that club indicated that they are laying criminal charges against the player for desertion and attempting to break his contract with the team.

The statement reads - “Racing 92 regrets to announce that Johan Goosen has not appeared at the club for the last two days and seems to have vacated his residence at Le Plessis-Robinson."

“As far as Racing 92 is concerned, Johan Goosen still remains bound to the club by an employment contract lasting four years, while his residence, company car, locker, and place in the locker-room all remain at his disposal. 

"To this effect, Johan Goosen remains on the list of players qualified by the EPCR to play in the Champions Cup, starting with the match between Racing 92 and Munster this Saturday.

“In response to Johan Goosen’s behaviour, Racing 92 is forced to initiate several legal proceedings aimed at enforcing its rights and redressing the harm done to the club. 

"Racing 92 believes that the club is a victim of blatant fraud which Johan Goosen, his associates and various advisers must answer for in court.

“Various civil proceedings will be taken out, partly to obtain reimbursement of the advance payments made to Johan Goosen with regard to his image rights, and also to obtain compensation for the non-provision of services to which he had committed in this domain.

“A complaint will also be laid with the French Industrial Tribunal in order to prosecute the player’s fraudulent and wrongful failure to fulfil his contractual obligations and to compensate the resulting significant damage for the club.

“A criminal complaint will also be filed, as the open-ended employment contract produced by Johan Goosen and signed by one of his friends and business associates appears to constitute a phony document, given that it is not conceivable that a player put an end to his sporting career while at the peak of such career, and accept a position in a South African company for a salary ten times less than what he was earning as a rugby player at Racing 92.”

Last month the team announced that the 24-year-old would be retiring from rugby in order to take up the position of commercial director at the company back in South Africa.

Goosen, who was named as the French Top 14 Player of the Year, extended his contract with Racing until 2020, however he can get out of his contract provided he gets a full time position.

Goosen is still on Racings' books to play in the Champions Cup, with the teams’ first match against Munster on Saturday.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport 

Statement via www.planetrugby.com