July 12, (THEWILL) – Two French international rugby players will be charged with rape and assault in Argentina, according to judicial sources. The 20-year-old Hugo Auradou and 21-year-old Oscar Jegou, were arrested on Monday in Buenos Aires after a woman accused them of multiple rapes and severe beatings in a Mendoza hotel room following a match.
The players deny the accusations, claiming their relations with the woman were consensual. They were transferred from Buenos Aires to Mendoza on Thursday, where they are expected to be formally charged on Friday. Meanwhile, the 39-year-old accuser has been hospitalised due to emotional and physical distress related to the incident.
The woman’s lawyer, Natacha Romano, stated that her client suffered “fierce” violence, with injuries to various parts of her body including bite and scratch marks. Romano claims the woman was raped “at least six times” by one man and once by the other, and allegedly tried to escape multiple times.
The accusations have sent shockwaves through French rugby and dominated news headlines in Argentina. The alleged attack occurred during the French national squad’s tour of South America, at the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza where the team was staying after a test match against Argentina.
The players’ lawyer, Rafael Cuneo Libarona, maintains that the sexual relations were consensual and claims there is video evidence of the woman leaving the hotel without visible injuries. However, Romano argues that the victim’s body provides overwhelming proof of non-consent. If charged, the players could face between 6 and 20 years in prison under Argentine law.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
