The French XV returned from Argentina without Jegou and Auradou still in detention, an update on the case

RUGBY – It’s the end of a catastrophic South American tour for the French men’s team. The Blues, departing from Buenos Aires, ended up landing at Roissy two hours late on Monday, July 15, around 7:45 p.m. This Tuesday, July 16, the president of the Federation, Florian Grill, spoke about this affair, during a press conference in Marcoussis.

The French, dressed in their official blue uniform, traveled on board an Air France commercial flight according to AFP. The plane had taken off from Argentina on Sunday evening at the end of one of the worst weeks in the history of French rugby. The sporting record of the South American tour of the Blues, far in the background, is two victories against Argentina (28-13) and Uruguay and a defeat against the Pumas (33-25) on Saturday July 13.

This tour mainly saw the exclusion of a player (Melvin Jaminet) for racist remarks (the federation reported this to the public prosecutor) and then two others Hugo Auradou (20 years old, 1 selection) and Oscar Jégou (21 years old, 1 selection), were charged with aggravated rape by the Argentine justice system. They are accused of gang-raping a woman on the night of July 6-7 in a hotel in Mendoza, where the French XV had just played the first match of its tour. The two players were placed in detention.

• The FFR advances funds for a house arrest

According to the two players’ main Argentinian lawyer, they are talking about “consensual” sexual relations with the alleged victim. The examination of their request for placement under house arrest should take “at least ten days”, the Mendoza prosecutor’s office said on Friday.

According to Florian Grill, the president of the FFR, the hearing to plead for house arrest could take place as early as Tuesday, July 16. This date remains to be confirmed. “Our immediate priority is to place the two young players under house arrest so that they are in a dignified environment.”he explained at a press conference. Funds were advanced by the Federation for all the costs, including the rental of a house, Florian Grill added.

• The FFR mentions possible sanctions

Regarding the responsibility of the French Rugby Federation teams, “It’s not the staff who are responsible, it’s the players who decided to step outside the framework”recalled its president. “There will be a before and after Mendoza (…) we will certainly not have a trembling hand either to raise awareness or to sanction if necessary. The future of our sport depends on it.”said Florian Grill.

The president of the FFR referred to several types of sanctions that could see the light of day, notably financial, but also more serious, with for example an immediate provisional suspension from the French XV, as was the case with Melvyn Jaminet, or even definitive. “We must trust the Argentine justice system and let it do its job”insisted the FFR, declaring that it was waiting for the players to plead their version of the facts.

• Relatives received by the prosecution

Relatives of the two detained players were received by a representative of the Mendoza prosecutor’s office, a spokesperson and a lawyer said. On Monday morning, July 15, Hugo Auradou’s parents – former rugby player David Auradou and his wife Marie – left the scene accompanied by defense lawyers without making any statements. The FFR said it was in contact with the players’ families.

Asked about their state of mind, one of the lawyers, Rafael Cuneo, indicated that Marie Auradou feels “like a mother with her son in prison accused of rape, of course she is worried”An aunt of Oscar Jégou, whose name has not been revealed, was also part of the group, according to the spokesman for the Mendoza prosecutor’s office, Martin Ahumada. It was a very moving meeting between the boys, the parents, the aunt. C“It’s very important because it gives them strength,” continued the lawyer in remarks reported by franceinfo.

· The investigation is progressing

The lawyer for the two players claims to have new evidence in his possession to exonerate them. “We have new, crucial and consistent evidence. Very interesting videos have emerged. Recordings, movements, faces. This evidence comes from the hotel cameras, the elevator, the hallways, and it is completely sufficient to prove their innocence,” did he declare.

Conversely, her counterpart Natacha Romano, who defends the victim, assures that her “The fundamental proof is the victim’s body, because it speaks for itself.” If convicted, the two young men face eight to 20 years in prison.