Court Clears French Rugby Players of Rape Charges

An Argentine court has dismissed aggravated rape charges against French rugby players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, citing the act as consensual and thus not a crime, according to their lawyers. The players were initially arrested after making their international debuts against Argentina and spent time under house arrest before being allowed to return to France. The charges were based on accusations of a violent assault in a Mendoza hotel room following a night out. The French Rugby Federation expressed relief over the decision and maintained the players' presumption of innocence during the judicial process. Both players have resumed playing for their clubs. The complainant has not announced plans to appeal the decision.