French internationals Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou have returned home to France following two months of detention in Argentina in the wake of sexual assault allegations.
Auradou and Jegou both twenty-one, were initially arrested following France’s test match against Argentina on July 6th and were later placed under house arrest which they were subsequently released from on August 12th.
Now back in France the pair have agreed to attend hearings at the Argentine Consulate in France and they will return to Mendoza upon the court’s request as part of their bail agreements.
Releasing a statement the French Rugby Federation wrote, “The French Rugby Federation welcomes with satisfaction the decision of the Argentinian public prosecutor’s office authorising the return to France, to their loved ones and their clubs, of its two internationals Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou.
“As it has expressed since the first day, the French Rugby Federation wanted to listen to the complainant, but also to constantly remind the two players of the presumption of innocence, who have always proclaimed their innocence, while trusting the Argentine justice system.
“Today’s decision is a further step towards the judicial truth of the facts. The FFR, in close collaboration with the Pau and La Rochelle clubs, will continue to support the players, and will not comment further on the ongoing procedure.”
A follow-up La Rochelle statement regarding Jegou stated, “We are relieved and looking forward to seeing Oscar again in La Rochelle in the next few hours. This return of the players to France marks a new important step on the path to truth that we share with the FFR and the Section Paloise.
“We are calmly awaiting the next hearing which will allow us to prove their innocence, of which we have been convinced since the first days. Stade Rochelais, Oscar Jegou and Céline Astolfe will not comment on this matter while the procedure is ongoing.”
Whilst a statement from Pau read as, “We welcome with joy and relief the return to France of second row Hugo Auradou. This is one more step towards the recognition of his innocence. Before thinking about what comes next, it is important to let Hugo find his family, his loved ones and his teammates who are eager to see him again.”
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