French rugby players Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou are to appear before the Argentine courts in Mendoza (west), where they are accused of having raped a woman in their hotel last Saturday, after a French XV match, who, according to her lawyer, suffered “terrible” violence.
Pau second row Hugo Auradou, 20, and La Rochelle third row Oscar Jegou, 21, were taken into custody after their arrest on Monday as part of the investigation opened for sexual violence.
They are expected in Mendoza, 1,100 kilometers from the capital Buenos Aires, where they will face justice.
« It would be a particularly atrocious sexual abuse, with sexual intercourse, with the participation of two people, with violence, for both “, said Natacha Romano, the lawyer for the 39-year-old plaintiff, who is also the daughter and sister of lawyers, in an interview with AFP on Wednesday.
She mentioned a ” sexual abuse with penetration “, the judicial definition of rape in Argentina.
Under Argentine law, sexual violence can include acts ranging from sexual assault to aggravated rape, which could be punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
French XV player Oscar Jegou on July 2, 2024 in San Isidro, in the province of Buenos Aires © Tomas CUESTA / AFP/Archives
Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou have for their part ” confirmed having had sexual intercourse with the young woman during the night but (…) firmly denied any form of violence “, according to a press release from the French Rugby Federation (FFR) published on Tuesday.
These sexual relations were ” consented “, said the lawyer of the two rugby players, Rafael Cuneo Libarona, on Wednesday in Mendoza.
« She claims she was beaten, (hotel surveillance) cameras say she wasn’t ” he explained to several media outlets.
The alleged attack took place on the night of Saturday to Sunday at the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza, where French players and staff were staying, after the victory (28-13) of the French XV against the Argentinians.
Police sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the players met the alleged victim in a bar. They allegedly consumed alcohol together, then the complainant, ” feeling dizzy “, was reportedly taken to their hotel.
« Punch »
According to Natacha Romano’s version, her client returned to the hotel with one of the two players involved, ” first identified as Hugo (Auradou) ». Still according to Me Romano, « He immediately grabs her, throws her on the bed, begins to undress her and starts to hit her savagely with a punch, the bruise of which is visible on the victim’s face. He suffocates her, to the point that she feels like she is going away. »
Natacha Romano, lawyer for the plaintiff who accuses two French XV players of rape, on July 10, 2024 during an interview with AFP in Mendoza, Argentina © LUIS ROBAYO / AFP
About an hour later, ” between the second, who is called Oscar ” assured the lawyer, accusing him of ” same facts of violence and sexual abuse ».
« She tries to escape at least five times. But Hugo wakes up and takes her back ” she added.
« The charge so far is sexual abuse, but there is a strong possibility that this could evolve into a charge that includes other counts. ” she said.
According to Mendoza Attorney General Daniela Chaler, ” the deposition (of the complainant, editor’s note) was quite long, complete, detailed and corresponded, for the time being, to the forensic conclusions ».
« The injuries are consistent with the victim’s account, but not necessarily exclusively from sexual assault “, added on LV10 radio the magistrate who requested the provisional detention of the two players.
« May justice be served quickly »
The president of the French Rugby Federation, Florian Grill, who met the two players in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, hopes “that justice will be served quickly”, as he explained to AFP.
« We went to see, today (Wednesday, Editor’s note), in Mendoza, a right-hand man of the prosecutor and the person in charge of the case: the lawyer was able to present several points that question the initial statement and that will call into question several statements ” he continued.
French Rugby Federation President Florian Grill (right), FFR Vice-President Jean-Marc Lhermet (left) and Rafael Cuneo Libarona (center), lawyer for France XV players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, on July 10, 2024 in Mendoza, Argentina © Luis ROBAYO / AFP
« If the investigation establishes the facts alleged, they constitute an unspeakable atrocity. Thoughts for the victim ” wrote on X Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, the French Minister of Sports, after the revelation of the affair which plunged the French XV into turmoil.
« It was a very difficult day, very, very hard. A very difficult time to live through. “, stressed the coach of the Blues, Fabien Galthié, on Tuesday.
Victorious over Uruguay (43-28) on Wednesday, the French XV must once again challenge the Pumas on Saturday in Buenos Aires.
