French Rugby Federation president Florian Grill revealed on Monday that French rugby players Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou had been arrested in Argentina on suspicion of sexual assault while on tour in South America.
This report follows Argentina’s defeat against France 28–13 in Mendoza last weekend. On Wednesday, the team is scheduled to play Uruguay in Montevideo. On Saturday, they will play Argentina again in Buenos Aires.
The encounter against the Pumas began on Saturday with openside flanker Jegou and lock Auradou both making their senior international debuts. In response to questions about the players’ identities, Grill said at an Argentine press conference: “Jegou and Auradou are the names that appeared in the Argentine press.
“An investigation is still going on. After arriving from Paris, Jean-Marc (Lhermet, FFR vice-president) and I have taken off. The implications are grave if the facts are verified.”
Grill was quoted as saying; “I’m short on information. I am unable to disclose what happened. An investigation is now in progress… It is a police station where they are. To bring them some food, a visitor went to visit them. We intend to make an effort to see them again in the future.”
Misconduct allegedly by Auradou and Jegou, two debut players
The players have not responded to requests for comment from Reuters. Neither of the players nor their attorneys have released any remarks yet.
In a post on X, French Minister of Sports Amelie Oudea-Castera stressed the seriousness of the incident, saying that if the inquiry validates the reported facts, they would represent an unimaginable atrocity.
“The victim is in our thoughts and prayers. Florian Grill, whose sentiments and words of wisdom we all share this morning, is greatly appreciated. Our embassy in the federation is still in contact with me.”