Two France players arrested in Argentina for alleged sexual assault, says rugby federation

BUENOS AIRES – Two members of the French national rugby team touring South America were arrested in Argentina on July 8 following an allegation of sexual assault, a justice official in Mendoza province and French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Florian Grill confirmed.

Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who featured in France’s 28-13 Test victory over Argentina on July 6, were detained in Buenos Aires and will be taken to Mendoza, where the crime allegedly took place.

Auradou’s father David Auradou also played for France, while Jegou was suspended last autumn by the French Anti-Doping Agency after a positive test for cocaine.

“Today a commission from the province of Mendoza is travelling to Buenos Aires to bring them and proceed with doing the relevant examinations,” said Martin Ahumada, a spokesman for the Mendoza prosecutor’s office. “If the examinations align with the testimony of the victim, the related charge will be made.”

According to media reports, the alleged attack took place at the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza, where France’s players and staff were staying for last weekend’s Test match. Local prosecutors requested the immediate arrest of the two players following the allegation.

France are due to travel to Montevideo, where they face Uruguay on July 10. They are due to return to Buenos Aires for a second Test against Argentina on July 13.

“If the facts are proven, they are incredibly serious. You must spare a thought for the young woman,” said Grill.

“It’s the opposite of everything that rugby is, of everything that rugby does, of everything that rugby builds... But you must let the investigation, which is necessary, take place,” he added.

Amelie Oudea-Castera, the French sports minister, wrote on X: “If the investigation establishes the facts, they constitute a nameless atrocity. Our thoughts are with the victim.”

The arrests come a day after a racism scandal that saw fullback Melvyn Jaminet ousted from the squad. Jaminet was removed after a video of him making racist comments emerged on social media.

“I promise, the first Arab I see on the road, I’ll headbutt him,” Jaminet is filmed as saying in the Instagram video.

Toulon’s Jaminet played seven minutes and kicked a penalty in France’s first Test win over the Pumas on July 6.

The FFR condemned his video comments as “totally unacceptable and against the fundamental values of our sport”.

Oudea-Castera praised the “rapid and appropriate response to the fear sparked” by the player’s remarks, writing on social media platform X.

Jaminet subsequently apologised for his remarks after being booted out of the squad.

“I am deeply sorry and ashamed of my comments,” Jaminet said on Instagram. “Racism, in all its forms, is unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in. I understand the FFR’s punishment and remain at their disposition to be able to shine a light on this incident.”

Meanwhile, France captain Antoine Dupont will go in search of Olympic gold after being named on July 8 in the 12-man rugby sevens squad for the Paris Games by the FFR.

The 2021 World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year missed the 2024 Six Nations in order to integrate himself into the national sevens squad.

The scrum-half has adapted well, winning the World Rugby SVNS Rookie of the Year award, despite featuring in just three of the season’s eight legs. AFP, REUTERS