French rugby players accused of rape: “If I used violence…”

Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégou assured that they had consensual intercourse with the complainant and reiterated their innocence. Justice has given them freedom, although with some restrictions.

In the last few hours, the strong statement by Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégouthe French rugby players accused of sexual abuse who had just returned from Mendoza.

The 21-year-old athlete was granted the benefit of house arrest, after spending several days behind bars, at a home in the city’s Fifth Section.

The case arose from serious complaint of a woman (39) they met in a bowling alley in the early hours of July 7, 2024, the day after the friendly victory over Los Pumas in Malvinas Argentinas.

The alleged victim She reported that Jégou invited her to drink, she was dizzy and, when she arrived at the concentration hotel room, she had sex and received several blows..

The French rugby players, for their part, asserted that they had consensual sex with him and reiterated their innocence. Auradoufor example, used a controversial phrase in the Mendoza Court, in front of prosecutors Darío Nora and Daniela Ghaler. “If he had resorted to violence, he would have been left in a sorry state.”, he admitted directly.

While Jégou he said: “I understand that Justice must deal with serious cases, but I am innocent. I was never violent or abusive“.

Since it did not find specific reasons to issue preventive detention, the Justice granted the French rugby players their freedom.who will still be charged in the case, cannot leave Argentina (their passports were taken) and they have to report every certain number of days.

“The criminal criteria for requesting preventive detention are not met. The first version weakened with noticeable contradictions, gray areas and the reason for agreeing to go to the hotel, the behavior observed when leaving the hotel, the joking tone of the conversation to his friend.“said part of the opinion.

The Forensic Medical Corps report found marks on the victim’s chest and legs, but no injuries from punches or signs of asphyxiation.

The version of the French rugby players accused of rape in Mendoza

Auradou He explains that he went first to a bar and then to a bowling alley, with Jégou. “We met the girl at the nightclub around 5 in the morning. He kissed me, and since we wanted to continue the night together, I suggested we go to the hotel. I told him that I would share a room with my partner Jégou“, he slipped, as published by the newspaper Uno de Mendoza.

Once they arrived at the Diplomatic Hotel, he explained that the woman “took the initiative” but was unable to stop standing. He spoke after the arrival of his colleague and assured: “He went in, put on his underwear and lay on the bed.”. According to his version, “he started having a relationship with Jégou. There was no discomfort, we just exchanged glances and then I fell asleep.” He added that when he woke up, he realized that he had peed on himself and took a shower.

“At one point, I took out my cell phone and took a picture of it; he played with the camera, but the video disappeared. I was not violent towards him. If we use violence, it may be left in a sad state“, he details Auradou.

Jégouon his part, corroborated the version of Auradou and described the situation upon entering the room: “When I arrived, I saw my partner with a girl in bed. It was an uncomfortable situation, but I put on my underwear and lay on the bed. Five minutes later, the girl came to my bed and we started having sex. I didn’t refuse. Then, he returned to Auradou’s bed“.

“I understand that Justice must deal with serious cases, but I am innocent. I was never violent or abusive”, he said.