An Argentine court in Mendoza has dismissed aggravated sexual assault charges against two professional French rugby players accused of raping a woman earlier this year. The court cited insufficient evidence and stated that the facts under investigation do not constitute a crime.
The case began when a 39-year-old Argentine woman alleged that she was beaten, choked, and raped by the rugby players in their Mendoza hotel room after a match. The players admitted to having consensual sex with the woman, whom they met during a night out after their victory against Argentina’s Pumas.
The defense expressed faith in the justice system following the dismissal, emphasizing the prevalence of false accusations in sexual crimes and gender violence cases.
The plaintiff has the option to appeal the ruling, but has not indicated whether she intends to do so. The defense raised doubts about the woman's account, pointing to inconsistencies and evidence, including WhatsApp messages where she joked about the encounter.
The investigation, which lasted several months, has caused shock in the French rugby world. The French Rugby Federation welcomed the court's decision and stated that the players could return to the national team based on their sporting performances.
During the team's stay in Argentina, another scandal emerged when French fullback Melvyn Jaminet was fined and suspended for a racist social media post. The federation highlighted the need for preventive measures to avoid risky behavior among high-level rugby players.
This case has drawn attention to the complexities of handling allegations of sexual assault and the importance of thorough investigations to ensure justice for all parties involved.
