Six Nations coach overcome with emotion as he testifies at star's murder trial

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada was overcome by emotion as he testified during the murder trial of former Argentina international Federico Martin Aramburu.

Last week, the trial over the murder of Aramburu opened in Paris - more than four years after he was shot dead in the French capital. Two former members of a far-right group face trial on murder and attempted murder charges.

Both Loik le Priol and Romain Bouvier face life sentences if found guilty.

According to the investigation, the 42-year-old was having a drink with friend and former rugby player Shaun Hegarty on the terrace of the Mabillon cafe on March 19, 2022.

Le Priol and Bouvier were at a nearby table, with investigators saying an altercation broke out between the two groups. CCTV footage reviewed during the investigation showed a confrontation involving Hegarty and Le Priol.

The dispute then escalated into a physical fight involving Aramburu, Hegarty, Le Priol and Bouvier before security staff intervened, according to court documents.

After the confrontation continued outside, investigators allege that both Bouvier and Le Priol fired shots at Aramburu, who died at the scene.

On Monday, former Argentina international Quesada spoke at the hearing about his former team-mate and friend Aramburu.

"Fede and I became very close friends starting in 2017," said Quesada. "He was a joyful, humane, and generous person.

"He had this ability to bring people together, simply because we felt good around him. If I signed with Biarritz a few years ago, it was also because of him."

Then overcome with emotion, the former Argentina fly-half had to pause before continuing.

"I spent a lot of evenings with Fede: in Argentina, in Spain, in the Basque Country, on Rue de la Soif in Paris… I never saw him involved in a fight or anything like that," said Quesada. "I have friends who get nasty when they drink.

"That wasn't the case with him.

"The day after it happened, at Stade Français, a Parisian player came up to me and said, 'Did you see? Fede is dead!' I confirmed the information with some friends in Biarritz. I was devastated."

Former France international Thomas Lievremeont, brother of ex-France coach Marc, also testified at the hearing.

"At the club, we called him 'Numero Dos', because he was the second Argentinian at Biarritz Olympique after Martin Gaitan (former center)," said Lievremont. "When he arrived, we smiled: Fede was of average build and he avoided the gym.

"But from his very first match, he proved he was exceptional. There are brutes, of which I am one, and then there are the clever guys, who have a sense of the game and anticipation.

"Fede was one of those. He avoided things, he wasn't violent like some forwards can be."

Lievremont explained that his brother Marc told him the news, saying: "I was completely stunned. I immediately called Shaun Hegarty, to no avail, then bought a ticket to return to Biarritz. I lived through the worst two weeks imaginable. Since then, life has never been the same."

"A few years ago, I lost my father and brother to illness," said Lievremont as he burst into tears. "It was hard, but time heals all wounds.

"However, the void left by Fede is irreplaceable. He was kindness personified. He was reliable, calm, generous, and respectful. He brought happiness to people."

"Today, I'm here to honor his memory and to ensure justice is served. I don't understand why we have to go through all this, really. I still don't understand why he's gone."

"The paradox is that he chose to live in the Basque Country because he thought that in France, he and his family would always be safe."

Aramburu's mother and wife also testified at the hearing, with his wife Maria saying that she required psychological treatment due to the anguish of his death.

The trial is expected to continue until September 25.

During his playing career, Aramburu won 22 caps for Argentina and played for French clubs including Biarritz and Perpignan.

The trial has prompted calls for justice in Aramburu’s native Argentina, where he played for the national team, with members of the Pumas wearing black T-shirts bearing the words “Justice for Fede” ahead of a recent Test match against Australia.

The Argentine Rugby Union issued a statement expressing “its support for the call for justice” for Aramburu.