Two French Rugby Players Arrested In Argentina Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Two members of France’s international rugby team touring South America have been arrested in Argentina following an allegation of sexual assault, a justice official in Mendoza province told AFP.

The two players, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who both featured in France’s 28-13 Test victory over Argentina on Saturday, were arrested on Monday, July 8.

The two suspects will be taken from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, where the crime is alleged to have taken place, Martin Ahumanda, a spokesman for Mendoza’s prosecutor’s office, told AFP.

According to local 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.

“There is an ongoing investigation. Jean-Marc (Lhermet, FFR vice-president) and I have just flown in from Paris. If the facts are confirmed, they are incredibly serious,” Grill told a press conference in Argentina.

“Our thoughts must already be with the young woman. If, once again, this is true, it goes against everything that rugby does, builds and is, everything that the 2,000 amateur clubs who bring amateur rugby to life on a daily basis do.

“I don’t have any details. I can’t say what happened. An investigation is underway… They’re in a police station. Someone from the delegation went to see them to bring them some food. We’re going to try to go back and see them too.”

The arrests come on the heels of fullback Melvyn Jaminet being sent home from the tour and suspended on Sunday after a video on social media showed him making a racist comment.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Top 14 club Toulon, was seen saying, “The first Arab I come across, I’ll throw him a headbutt” in a video that was widely shared recently.