XV of France: two players accused of sexual assault and arrested in Argentina

The South American tour of the XV of France goes badly: after the racist slip-up of Melvyn Jaminet, two new players of the Blues are the subject of a complaint for sexual assault and were sentenced to death. arrested by the police in Argentina on Monday, AFP learned from a judicial source.

The two rugby players must be transferred to Mendoza (central-west), site of the alleged attack and where the Blues played their first match against the Argentine selection on Saturday (28-13).

According to the local press, the alleged attack took place during the night from Saturday to Sunday at the Diplomatic Hotel in Mendoza, where players and staff were staying during the test against the Pumas.

The prosecutor requested the immediate arrest of the suspects, who are in Buenos Aires for the remainder of the summer tour. Fabien Galthié's Blues must leave on Tuesday for Montevideo, where they will face the Uruguayan selection on Wednesday.

The French XV will then return to Buenos Aires to challenge Argentina again Saturday.

Contacted by AFP, the French Rugby Federation did not immediately respond. FFR President Florian Grill and his vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet were on the plane to Argentina and were due to arrive late Monday night.

This story comes the day after the Melvyn Jaminet affair, removed from the group after racist remarks in a video published on Sunday and of which he said he was “ashamed”.

– Jaminet dismissed for racist comments –

“My daronne (my mother, Editor's note) who asks me if I had a party (he breathes). I swear to you the first Arab I meet on the road I hit him with his helmet”, declares, visibly angry, the player (25 years old, 20 caps) who films himself in this short undated video, posted on Instagram and since deleted.

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French rugby player Melvyn Jaminet during a test match against Argentina in Mendoza, Argentina, July 6, 2024 © AFP – Andres Larrovere

In a press release published quickly after its broadcast, the French Rugby Federation condemned “with the greatest firmness the comments made by Melvyn Jaminet which are “totally unacceptable and contrary to the fundamental values ​​of our sport”.

The player “has been sidelined with immediate effect and is leaving the France group currently present in Argentina”, added the FFR, stressing that an “internal investigation” was underway to “take appropriate measures”.

The Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra had praised on racism”.

Jaminet came on in the 73rd minute of the victory against Argentina (28-13), Saturday in Mendoza, the first for the Pumas since 2016. Replacing full-back Léo Barré, he scored two points by converting winger Théo Attissogbe's try (76th).

The RCT for its part reacted on its X account, “condemning the comments made and dissociating itself from them” and also announcing the opening of a “internal investigation”.

Sunday evening, Jaminet published a message of apology on his Instagram account. “I am deeply sorry and ashamed of my words,” the player wrote. “I would like to apologize to everyone. I understand that this may have hurt and offended many people, and I would like to make it clear that these comments in no way reflect my values ​​or those of the French team rugby.”

“Racism, in all its forms, is unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in. I understand the sanction of the. FFR and I am at their disposal in order to shed light on this matter”, he concludes in his text signed Melvyn.

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