Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou, two French national team players, arrested in Argentina following a complaint of sexual assault

Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou, two young hopefuls of the French national team, were arrested on Monday in Argentina following a complaint of alleged sexual assault lodged by a woman. The incident is said to have taken place on Saturday night in Mendoza, after the French team’s 28-13 victory over the Pumas. Local sources describe the incident as particularly violent.

Accusations made against Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou

According to the Argentine newspaper MDZ, the complaint of sexual abuse was lodged on Sunday afternoon. Argentine law defines sexual abuse as “violent sexual aggression that threatens a person’s sexual freedom”. The names of the players involved were revealed by prosecutor Daniela Charer and the president of the French Rugby Federation, Florian Grill. They are Oscar Jégou (21) and Hugo Auradou (20). The incident is said to have taken place after an evening at a bowling alley, followed by a return trip to the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza.

The complainant lodged her complaint the following day, prompting swift intervention by the authorities to prevent the Frenchmen leaving for Uruguay for a forthcoming match. Medical examinations provided “conclusive” evidence of the assault, including traces of physical and genetic violence.

Reactions and consequences

Florian Grill and Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra expressed their dismay at the seriousness of the accusations. Grill emphasized that, if the facts are true, they run counter to the values of rugby. Oudéa-Castéra described the facts as a “nameless atrocity”.

Detention and legal proceedings

Following their arrest in Buenos Aires, Jégou and Auradou are currently being held at a police station. They are due to be transferred to Mendoza to face formal charges of “sexual abuse aggravated by carnal intercourse and the participation of several people”, a charge equivalent to rape under Argentine law. A law firm has been hired to defend them.

Player profiles

Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou, born in 2003, are considered to be great hopes for French rugby. Members of the 2023 Under-20 World Championship squad, they were recently called up to the French national team. Jégou, La Rochelle’s third row, overcame a positive cocaine test last year. Auradou, second row for Pau and son of former international David Auradou, made his Top 14 debut in 2022.

This affair could have serious repercussions for their careers and for the image of French rugby.