In Argentina, legal action has been initiated against two French rugby athletes, Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, after a woman accused them of forcibly sexually assaulting her in their hotel room and hindering her escape. The incident reportedly occurred in the city of Mendoza after Sunday’s Test match between France and Argentina. The athletes have been arrested in Buenos Aires and transported 997km to Mendoza for their initial court appearance.
Choosing to remain silent during Friday’s legal proceedings, Jegou (21) and Auradou (20) are currently under detention pending trial. They have acknowledged having intercourse with the woman while rejecting allegations of non-consensual sex and brutality. The French Rugby Federation previously released this information.
The woman’s legal representation, Natacha Romano, shared details of the alleged assault, which has triggered indignation in France and controversy in Argentina. The incident further raises pertinent questions about sexual violence and alleged misogyny in sports, especially in light of recent scandals involving pro athletes in Argentina.
Romano informed the Associated Press that her client was discovered with an acutely bleeding ulcer and other injuries believed to be connected to the assault, and remains hospitalized in a state of profound shock and stress. According to Romano, her client is under rigorous medical supervision due to severe depression triggered by the event.
Prosecutors announced that a decision on the defendants’ petition for house arrest is forthcoming. According to Romano, her client met Auradou, one of the rugby players, at a nightclub and accompanied him back to his hotel room for another round of drinks where Auradou abused her sexually and forbade her exit before Jegou partook in the assault. The woman managed to escape the hotel room, filed a police report and underwent medical evaluations.
In Argentina, the maximum penalty for aggravated sexual assault is 20 years imprisonment, with a statutory minimum of eight years. Authorities have announced that the defendants will be transferred to another prison later.