The foundations governing participant outings will likely be modified following the arrests of Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou in Argentina on an allegation of sexual assault, France Rugby chief Florian Grill stated on Tuesday.
Jegou and Auradou, 21 and 20 respectively, had been arrested in Argentina following an allegation of sexual assault final week. The gamers’ lawyer stated the pair rejected the allegation and stated the intercourse was consensual.
Grill stated there’s a framework in place when on tour to keep away from such points however the gamers had not adopted the foundations, including that they’d reinforce consciousness and sanctions.
“We’ll change the foundations. There’s a algorithm, an especially exact algorithm which were in place for years, based mostly on autonomy and accountability. This was not revered by the gamers,” Grill informed a information convention.
“The foundations state that they’ll exit in teams with extra senior gamers, who’re accountable for arranging taxis and bringing everybody in on the identical time.
“This was accomplished by Baptiste Serin and a sure variety of gamers determined to not respect the foundations. So it is not the workers who’re accountable, it is the gamers who determined to step out of line.
“For the long run, there’ll after all be a earlier than and after Mendoza. We are going to work on it step-by-step, in session with all gamers.”
The 2 Frenchmen are at the moment in an intermediate jail within the metropolis of Mendoza and Grill stated that they had confidence within the Argentina justice system.
Lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona, who represents Jegou and Auradou, informed Reuters final week that “the model they’re placing ahead is diametrically opposed” to the allegations.
“[We have] absolute respect for the presumption of innocence, the necessity to hear the complainant, but additionally the 2 gamers,” Grill added.
“As a result of there are actually two variations and the gamers, I might remind you, haven’t but spoken of their defence.”
