In a notable legal development, an Argentine court has dismissed sexual assault charges against two French rugby players accused of raping a woman following a match in Argentina earlier this year.
The case involved Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégou, professional athletes who were facing serious accusations from a 39-year-old Argentine woman. She alleged that the players had assaulted her in their hotel room in Mendoza after celebrating their victory over Argentina’s Pumas on July 7. Despite admitting to engaging in sexual activities with the woman, the players insisted that the encounter was consensual.
The investigation took several months, during which both athletes remained under certain judicial conditions. In September, they were released from house arrest and permitted to return to France. The Mendoza court’s decision to drop the charges was primarily based on a lack of sufficient evidence, according to the presiding judge. However, the option for the plaintiff to appeal the ruling remains open, though there has been no indication from her or her legal counsel on whether this will happen.
As the case progressed, the defense pointed out perceived inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s account, attributing them to her “shock and extreme stress.” She had undergone medical examinations, where it was noted she had an acute bleeding ulcer and other injuries she linked to the alleged assault. In response to the court’s decision, the French Rugby Federation expressed both “relief and satisfaction,” noting that the athletes would now be eligible to reintegrate with the national team after their suspension due to the allegations.
The Federation emphasized the importance of maintaining a high standard of behavior for players and acknowledged this incident as a reminder of the potential risks associated with top-level sports. They reiterated their stance on the “presumption of innocence” and advocated for ensuring athletes’ rights and safety during legal proceedings.
The resolution of this case underscores the complexities often involved in legal proceedings of such nature, highlighting the balance between due process and the pursuit of justice. Both the players and the rugby federation hope to move forward, learning from the incident to foster a safer environment in professional sports.
Source: Local10
