The recent dismissal of rape charges against French rugby players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou by an Argentinian court has brought closure to a dark period for France’s rugby community. The players, both aged 21, were accused of assaulting a woman after a match in Mendoza, Argentina, where they had won their first international caps for France. The woman claimed they assaulted her in a hotel room after meeting at a nightclub, while the players maintained that the encounter was consensual. The players were initially held in custody before being allowed to return to France due to lack of evidence. The prosecution eventually called for the charges to be dropped, leading to the players’ acquittal. Their defence lawyer, German Hnatow, stated that the sexual act was consensual, proving their innocence. The case had drawn significant attention and speculation, but with the charges dropped, the players can now put this ordeal behind them. This verdict brings a sense of relief to the French rugby community, as they can now move forward and focus on the sport.
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