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France international Sekou Macalou has dismissed reports that he has retired from professional rugby with immediate effect, insisting that any announcement about his future will come from him.
French outlet Olympic Midday reported that the Stade Français back-rower informed his team-mates on Monday that he was ending his career, despite remaining under contract with the Paris club until next June.
The report adds that Macalou, 31, has reached an agreement with the club’s management to stop playing immediately after a campaign marred by a persistent hip problem that has severely limited his Top 14 involvement.
However, Macaulou hit back on Instagram and made it clear that he had not made any official announcement and criticized those who spoke publicly about his future on his behalf.
“I have seen certain information circulating regarding the supposed end of my career,” he wrote.
“As of today, I haven’t made any official announcement about what’s next in my career.
“Therefore, I find it unfortunate that some people have the right to speak on my behalf about the decisions I make myself.
“The day I have something to announce about my future, it will come from me and no one else.
“Thank you for respecting that.”
Macalou spent more than a decade with Stade Français after coming through Massy, establishing himself as one of the most athletic and versatile forwards in French rugby.
Able to operate across the back row and, occasionally, on the wing, he is one of the true hybrid players in the game. He won 20 caps for France and was part of the Stade Français team raised by the European Challenge Cup in 2017
His statement on Instagram therefore leaves his immediate future unsettled, and Macaulou rejects the idea that the decision to retire has already been publicly confirmed.
For now, however, Macalou’s next move is up to him to announce when he chooses.
