Two French international rugby players, Hugo Auradou, 20, and Oscar Jegou, 21, have been charged with the aggravated rape of a woman in Argentina following a match, prosecutors in the South American country have confirmed.
The incident allegedly took place after France beat Argentina on Saturday, with the 39-year-old woman claiming that she was raped multiple times and beaten in a hotel room in the city of Mendoza. The players deny the allegations, stating that they had consensual sex with the woman.
The woman’s lawyer, Ms Romano, described the violence her client endured, including injuries to her face, back, breasts, legs, and ribs, as well as bite and scratch marks. She also stated that the woman was held against her will for several hours and tried to escape multiple times.
The players, who chose not to testify at a hearing in the city, will remain in custody while authorities investigate further. The French Rugby Federation president, Florian Gill, has expressed that the players have a different version of events and called for a swift resolution from the Argentine justice system.
The case has sparked controversy and divided opinions, with one lawyer claiming that the sexual relations were consensual and pointing to witnesses and camera footage that allegedly show the woman leaving the hotel without any visible injuries.
As the investigation unfolds, Auradou and Jegou have been replaced by other players for the upcoming match against Argentina in Buenos Aires. The story continues to develop as authorities work to uncover the truth behind the disturbing allegations.
