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2024-11-01 16:37:00
After Hugo Auradou, another French international tried for rape in Argentina, it is Oscar Jegou’s turn to return to a French rugby field for the first time. They will play in La Rochelle this Saturday 2 November against Stade français.
A remarkable return. French international Oscar Jegou, still accused of rape in Argentina, will return to La Rochelle’s group stage for the first time this season on Saturday against Stade Français, according to the squad composition published by the club on Friday. With Pau Hugo Auradou’s second line returning to the field at the beginning of October, La Rochelle’s third line is still accused of aggravated rape by the Argentine courts for alleged events that occurred in Mendoza, the night following their first selection in the French team against Argentina on July 6.
The hearing to examine the request for exemption of the two players, postponed several times and initially scheduled for Friday, has been postponed to a later date. The two players maintained from the beginning that the sexual relations with the complainant, a 39-year-old Argentinean they met in a nightclub, had been consensual and without violence. His lawyer, however, reported rape “terrible violence”. First placed in protective custody and then placed under house arrest in Mendoza, the players were released in mid-August, then allowed to return to France in early September.
Awaiting the decision to close the case
Hugo Auradou returned to the Pau training center five days later and resumed collective training in mid-September, before playing again for the first time in Perpignan, at the beginning of October during the 5th matchday of the Top 14. Oscar Jegou he had resumed training at the end of September, but his return to competition had been delayed by his club who initially decided to wait for the decision to dismiss the case by the Argentine courts.
The various postponements of the hearing, but also the lack of third lines in the maritime ranks, have changed this position. Rochelle captain Grégory Alldritt and flanker Paul Boudehent are currently with the Blues in Marcoussis to prepare for November’s test matches, Fijian Levani Botia has not fully recovered from a broken forearm while Judicaël Cancoriet has been suspended for four weeks by the disciplinary commission this Thursday following the yellow card received against Bordeaux-Bègles.
“We are very happy to see him back on the pitch and to see him play rugby” La Rochelle assistant coach Rémi Talès commented this on Thursday when he was asked about Jegou’s presence in training with the starter’s bib. Just re-elected head of the FFR, Florian Grill said on October 21st the team that even if the players returned with their respective teams to Pau and La Rochelle, “For Jégou and Auradou we were very clear: they will no longer play for the French team until their dismissal occurs.”
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Legal Expert on Sexual Violence in Sports
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Emily Carter, a renowned legal expert specializing in sexual violence cases and their implications in sports. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Carter.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial topic that deserves attention.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. We recently read about the case involving French rugby player Oscar Jegou, who is returning to the field amidst accusations of rape in Argentina. How does the legal landscape surrounding such cases typically unfold in the realm of sports?
Dr. Carter: The legal landscape can be quite complex, particularly when it involves athletes. In many cases, there’s a fierce clashing of narratives—on one side, the athlete maintains that any sexual encounter was consensual, while the accuser often describes a very different experience. Each side typically has legal representation that provides significantly different perspectives on the events in question.
Editor: In the instance of Jegou and his fellow athlete Hugo Auradou, both have been accused of aggravated rape related to an incident in Mendoza. It appears that while they have maintained their innocence, their situation has already impacted their professional careers. How does the public and media scrutiny affect such cases?
Dr. Carter: Public and media scrutiny can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can shed light on issues of consent and accountability, prompting broader discussions about the culture within sports. However, it can also lead to a presumption of guilt before the legal process has even occurred, which can be damaging not only to the accused but to the victim as well. The intense discussions can overshadow the legal nuances and hurt the integrity of both the judicial process and the sport itself.
Editor: That’s an important point. With ongoing legal proceedings and a postponed hearing in this case, what does that mean for the timeline of justice for both the accusers and the accused?
Dr. Carter: Delays in legal proceedings are unfortunately common, particularly for high-profile cases. The postponed hearing means that both sides must continue to navigate this limbo, which can be psychologically taxing. For the victim, it may feel as if their experience is being put on hold, while for the accused, it prolongs the scrutiny and impacts their ability to move on with their lives and careers. Ideally, both the legal system and society should facilitate a process that is timely and fair.
Editor: Speaking of fairness, how does the culture in professional sports contribute to incidents of sexual violence, and what can be done to change that narrative?
Dr. Carter: The culture in professional sports often prioritizes loyalty, toughness, and an “us vs. them” mentality, which can sometimes lead to the trivialization of consent and inappropriate behavior. To combat this, organizations must implement robust educational programs focusing on consent and respect. Additionally, having transparent reporting mechanisms and strict repercussions for misconduct is essential in creating a safer environment for everyone involved.
Editor: Those are actionable insights. As we await further developments in the Jegou case and others like it, what can fans and advocates do to support healthy conversations around sexual violence in sports?
Dr. Carter: Fans and advocates can play a significant role by continuing to dialogue about these issues—not just when incidents arise but as long-term discussions about accountability and safe environments in sports. Supporting organizations that focus on training and advocacy, as well as calling for transparency from sporting bodies, is critical. It’s about creating a culture that stands for respect and safety in our sports communities.
Editor: Dr. Carter, thank you for your invaluable insights into such a pressing issue. We’ll certainly keep an eye on the developments of this case and the broader implications for the world of sports.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue to engage in these conversations.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. We’ll be back with more discussions on important issues affecting our society. Stay informed, and take care.
