Early this Wednesday morning in Argentina, Rafael Cúneo Libarona agreed to provide an update on the scandal that is shaking the world of rugby. The Argentinian lawyer represents Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, the two French players accused of aggravated sexual assault on a woman who filed a complaint on Sunday, the day after the match won by the Blues against the Pumas (28-13) in Mendoza, in the center-west of Argentina.
“What is your line of defense after speaking with Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou?
RAFAEL CUNEO LIBARONA. I spoke with them yesterday (Tuesday), for quite a while. I don’t speak French but I speak English, so we communicate like that, with the help of the (Blues) staff. I believe what they tell me. There was no type of violence on their part. I respect what they tell me, just as I respect what the alleged victim says. We must not try to argue, but use legal weapons to do a good job. We must always consider the other party with a lot of respect.
The forensic examination carried out on the alleged victim seems to suggest that his story is credible…
I have not had access to the file. It will have to be analyzed. It would be premature for me to give an opinion.
What did the two players tell you?
I can’t give you details out of respect for their families. But everything that happened in that room was consensual. The woman, originally from Argentina, is between thirty and forty years old from what I know. They are younger (21 for Jegou, 20 for Auradou). They are young people who have received a good education, professional athletes who represent their country. It doesn’t cross their minds to behave like that. They don’t resort to violence. The rugby player, used to contact on the field, has been prepared since he was little not to be violent. I believe what they told me.
“I will provide evidence that I consider important.”
What psychological state are they in?
They are very worried and scared. It is not easy to be held in a prison in Argentina without speaking Spanish. We are all worried and trying to do the best job we can.
What do you know about how that evening from Saturday to Sunday went?
Hugo (Auradou) came home first with this woman he met in a nightclub where he had gone dancing. They came home in a taxi together, but I don’t know at what time. Then they had consensual sex. Another player, also accompanied by a woman, was also in the taxi. Hugo and Oscar (Jegou) shared the same room in this hotel. Oscar came home later and went to sleep in the second bed. He did not participate in the sexual act with them. Then, I don’t know why, she decided to change beds. But I don’t know yet if there was also a sexual relationship with Oscar. I can’t confirm it.
Had both players consumed a lot of alcohol?
I don’t have this information.
Was the alleged victim in a normal state?
I also don’t know if she had been drinking alcohol.
What are your next deadlines in this legal process?
Talk to the judge, the prosecutor, see and analyze the file. I will bring evidence that seems important to me. The most important thing will be to obtain their freedom. That is my main objective. The players will arrive in the afternoon by land with police personnel. They are not taking the air for economic reasons: the plane trip is expensive in Argentina, it is a classic process. I have no doubt that they are innocent. I am 100% convinced of it.