Rugby star kills his wife
RUGBY ace Marc Cecillon was charged with murder last night after shooting dead his wife at a garden party.
The couple’s 60 guests screamed as the drunk former French captain blasted Chantal, 41, in the head and chest at point-blank range.
They had earlier had a furious public row and he stormed out — only to return with a shotgun.
One witness to Saturday night’s horror said: “He came rampaging towards his wife with a gun in his hand, pointed it at her head and pulled the trigger.
“It was an appalling moment, and all over in a couple of seconds. People fled in all directions. Then some men just threw themselves at him from behind and he fell to the ground.
“They sat on him until the police came. I know he’d had a few drinks.”
Cecillon, 45, played for France 46 times from 1988-1995.
At the World Cup quarter final against England in 1991 he was involved in a classic moment in rugby history.
Cecillon was diving for the line when a midriff tackle by England flanker Mickey Skinner lifted him off his feet and dumped him to earth ten yards back.
Friends said the dad of two had been down after retiring from play at Bourgoin club five years ago to become coach.
President Pierre Martinet, who revealed Cecillon and Chantal were known to have marriage problems, said: “Marc was a little depressed at reaching the end of his playing career.
“He had also been drinking a bit too much. But he is a legend and still had a lot to offer.”
Cecillon was last night still being held in Bourgoin-Jallieu, near Lyon.
A cop said: “He claims he did not know he had killed his wife until he was told the next morning. He appears to be horrified.”
Sun
