Two French rugby internationals have been arrested in Argentina following allegations of sexual assault.
Oscar Jegou, aged 21, and Hugo Auradou, aged 20, were apprehended in Buenos Aires on Monday and will be taken to Mendoza, where local reports allege the incident occurred involving a woman.
France is currently on a tour of South America.
The French squad stayed in Mendoza on Saturday night after their 28-13 Test victory against Argentina, during which both players made their international debuts.
Florian Grill, president of the French Rugby Federation, told reporters, “If the allegations are proven true, they are extremely serious. We will await the outcome of the investigation.”
Martin Ahumada, a spokesperson for the Mendoza prosecutor’s office, informed AFP news agency that a team was travelling to Buenos Aires to conduct “investigative procedures” and that “if the findings corroborate the victim’s account, charges will be filed.”
The arrests occurred two days after full-back Melvyn Jaminet was suspended by the federation for posting a video on social media containing a racist remark.
Jaminet, who plays for Toulon, uploaded the video on his Instagram following the match against Argentina.
Despite deleting the video, it quickly spread across social media platforms, leading to the 25-year-old being sent home from the tour.
Jaminet expressed deep remorse, saying, “I am profoundly sorry and embarrassed by my remarks.”
France will face Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday before returning to Buenos Aires for a second Test against Argentina.
Nancy Mbamalu
Source: BBC
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