Two French international rugby players, Hugo Auradou (20) and Oscar Jegou (21), have been charged with the aggravated rape of a woman in Argentina, prosecutors in the South American country report. The charges follow an incident after France’s victory over Argentina on Saturday.
The 39-year-old woman alleges that the players raped her multiple times and physically assaulted her in a hotel room at the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza, where the French team was staying. According to her lawyer, Ms. Romano, she sustained severe injuries including facial, back, breast, leg, and rib injuries, along with various bite and scratch marks. The woman claims she was held against her will for several hours and attempted to escape multiple times. She sought medical treatment on Thursday due to emotional and physical distress.
Auradou and Jegou, who have denied the allegations, stating that the encounter was consensual, chose not to testify at a recent hearing. They will remain in custody while the investigation continues.
“They are well and sure of their version, they are calm because they know they are innocent, but of course they are worried about this whole situation that they have had to live through,” said their lawyer, German Hnatow.
Mariano Cuneo Libarona, another lawyer representing the players, asserted that there were witnesses and video footage showing the woman leaving the hotel without apparent injuries, suggesting the interaction was consensual.
Florian Gill, president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), who is currently in Argentina, emphasized the need for a swift investigation by the Argentine justice system, noting that the players have provided a different version of events.
In light of the charges, Auradou and Jegou have been replaced by Mickael Guillard and Judicael Cancoriet for the upcoming match against Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Warning: This story contains details that some readers may find upsetting.
