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Two French rugby players arrested in Argentina for alleged sexual assault, days after racist incident

Two French rugby players arrested in Argentina for alleged sexual assault, days after racist incident
Melvyn Jaminet of France celebrates after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby match between Wales and France at Principality Stadium on March 11, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
France’s rugby tour to Argentina was rocked by a second scandal in two days after two players were arrested for alleged sexual assault.

France rugby players Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou have been arrested in Argentina following an allegation of sexual assault during their tour of South America, French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Florian Grill said on Monday.

France beat Argentina 28-13 last weekend in Mendoza and are scheduled to play Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday before returning to Buenos Aires to face Argentina in another Test on Saturday.

Both openside flanker Jégou and lock Auradou started Saturday’s match against Argentina’s Pumas.

Asked about the identities of the players involved, Grill told a press conference in Argentina: “They came out in the (Argentinian) press: Jégou and Auradou.

“There is an ongoing investigation. Jean-Marc (Lhermet, FFR vice-president) and I have just flown in from Paris. If the facts are confirmed, they are incredibly serious.

“Our thoughts must already be with the young woman. If, once again, this is true, it goes against everything that rugby does, builds and is, everything that the 2,000 amateur clubs who bring amateur rugby to life on a daily basis do.

 

France players sexual assault Matias Alemanno of Argentina wins a lineout against Hugo Auradou of France during the Test at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina, on 6 July 2024. (Photo: Rodrigo Valle / Getty Images)



“I don’t have any details. I can’t say what happened. An investigation is under way... They’re in a police station. Someone from the delegation went to see them to bring them some food. We’re going to try to go back and see them too.”

Reuters has contacted the local court for confirmation.

Reuters has been unable to contact the players and there was no immediate statement from the two men or lawyers representing them.

“If the investigation establishes the alleged facts, they constitute an unspeakable atrocity,” French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra wrote in a post on X.

“Our thoughts are with the victim. Thank you to Florian Grill for his fair words and his emotion, which we all share this morning. I remain in contact with the federation and our embassy there.”

Racist incident


The arrests come on the heels of fullback Melvyn Jaminet being sent home from the tour and suspended on Sunday after a video on social media showed him making a racist comment.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Top 14 club Toulon, was seen saying, “the first Arab I come across, I’ll throw him a headbutt”, in a video that was widely shared recently.

“FFR strongly condemns the remarks made by Melvyn Jaminet in a video recently posted on social networks. Such comments are totally unacceptable and contrary to the fundamental values of our sport,” the FFR said.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Spanish football admits racism problem after Vinicius incident

France players Melvyn Jaminet Melvyn Jaminet of France celebrates after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby match between Wales and France at Principality Stadium on March 11, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)



“As a result, Melvyn Jaminet has been suspended with immediate effect and is leaving the France squad currently in Argentina.”

Jaminet apologised for his comments in a post on Instagram.

“I understand that this may have hurt and offended many people, and I want to make it clear that these comments in no way reflect my values or those of the French rugby team,” he wrote.

“Racism, in all its forms, is unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in.”

The FFR added that an internal investigation is under way.

The decision was welcomed by Oudéa-Castéra, who called for zero tolerance against racism in a post on X. Reuters/DM