Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou: France rugby players rape charges dismissed in Argentina
French rugby players Ugo Oladu and Óscar Jégoud have been accused of aggravated rape by an Argentinian court, their lawyers said.
The pair, both 21, were arrested two days after Mendoza made his international debut in France’s win over Argentina in July.
They are accused of raping a 39-year-old woman in a hotel room in the city but deny any wrongdoing and say the sex was consensual.
“The judge has just ordered the player’s acquittal, finding that this behavior does not constitute a crime,” lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona told Reuters after the hearing in Mendoza.
“As we expected, the French players were acquitted because the sex was consensual, which means no crime was committed and there is no doubt that they are innocent,” lawyer Germain Genato added.
The French Rugby Federation (FFR) said it was “relieved and satisfied” with the decision and confirmed that both players are eligible to play for the national team again.
Oladeu and Jiegu were allowed by the court to return home in September, nearly two months after their arrest.
