French national team players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, accused of rape in their hotel, “savagely” beat the victim, according to lawyer Natacha Romano

Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou will appear before the Argentine courts in Mendoza, where the events took place. The two French rugby players are accused of raping a woman in their hotel on the night of Saturday July 6 to Sunday July 7, after a French rugby team match. Pau second-row Hugo Auradou, 20, and La Rochelle third-row Oscar Jegou, 21, were taken into custody following their arrest on Monday, as part of an investigation into aggravated sexual violence.

According to Mendoza’s public prosecutor, Daniela Chaler, “the [complainant’s] statement was quite long, complete, detailed and corresponded, for the time being, to the forensic conclusions”. She also requested that the two players be remanded in custody.

The events took place in Mendoza, 1,100 kilometers from Buenos Aires. After celebrating the French national team’s 28-13 victory over the Argentinians, the players went to the “paseo Aristides” party district, then to the “Wabi Fun Club”, a local nightclub. The plaintiff, a 39-year-old woman, accompanied by three friends, allegedly gained access to the players’ VIP lounge through employees.

According to lawyer Natacha Romano, the victim was invited for a drink in the hotel room by one of the players, eventually identified as Hugo Auradou. When she tried to escape to the bathroom, she was allegedly assaulted, beaten and sexually abused. A second assault took place later, according to the lawyer, by Oscar Jegou.

The players’ lawyers disputed these accusations, claiming that the sexual relations were consensual and that the security cameras showed no trace of blows. Under Argentine law, these accusations could lead to charges ranging from sexual assault to aggravated rape, punishable by heavy prison sentences.