Two French rugby internationals, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, have returned to France following their arrest and subsequent rape charges in Argentina. The players, both 21, were accused of raping and physically assaulting a 39-year-old woman during a night out in Mendoza in July. Although the charges remain, the Argentine court has granted them permission to leave the country while the legal process continues.
Auradou and Jegou, who strongly deny the allegations, may attend future hearings at the Argentine consulate in France and could be ordered to return to court in Mendoza at a later date. The maximum penalty for the charges is 20 years, with a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years if convicted.
In a statement, the French Rugby Federation expressed its support for the players while acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations. The federation reiterated the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence, stating that this development is “a further step towards judicial truth.”
Auradou and Jegou, who had made their international debuts the day before the alleged incident, claim the encounter was consensual. However, the alleged victim’s lawyer disputes this, pointing to the physical injuries she reportedly sustained and her subsequent psychological trauma. According to her legal team, the woman has attempted suicide and continues to suffer emotional distress as the players return to their professional lives.
La Rochelle, Jegou’s club, affirmed their confidence in his innocence and plan to reintegrate him into the team. Pau, Auradou’s club, shared similar sentiments, expressing “joy and relief” at his return.
The case remains ongoing, with both sides awaiting further legal developments as the French rugby season resumes.
