“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,” said the club, who play Munster in European action this weekend.

But it added: “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.

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“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.”

Goosen, who starred last season as Racing won the French title and reached the European Champions Cup final, was reported in December to be taking up a commercial director’s job in South Africa.

Goosen joined Racing in 2014 from the Cheetahs and has won 13 caps for the Springboks, but has played just three times for the Paris club this season.

Racing said their action against Goosen will include a complaint to an industrial tribunal “to prosecute the player’s fraudulent and wrongful failure to fulfil his contractual obligations and to compensate the resulting significant damage for the club”.

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It will also file a criminal complaint because “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 puts an end to his sporting career while at the peak of such a career”.