A 68-year-old man has died in Mimizan, France, after being struck in the face with a metal pétanque ball during a dispute with an 81-year-old man. The altercation stemmed from a disagreement over playing space, as a group of beach pétanque players sought to use a village court due to shade. Witnesses report a long-standing rivalry between the two groups of players. The suspect, initially detained on Wednesday, claims self-defense, alleging he was attacked first. He has been released under conditions, including a travel ban, pending further legal proceedings. An autopsy is underway to determine the direct link between the injury and the man’s death, with results expected next week. Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential homicide.