“Nothing prevents him from doing his job“: French international Hugo Auradou, still prosecuted for rape in Argentina, played again in the Top 14 on Saturday with his club Pau to the indifference of the Perpignan public, which contrasted with the media excitement. The 21-year-old second row had not put on his crampons for an official match since July 6 and the famous Argentina-France.
Still indicted with Rochelais Oscar Jegou for aggravated rape, but awaiting a dismissal requested on Friday by the Mendoza public prosecutor’s office, Auradou was established on Saturday, 91 days later. Not at Hameau, where the Pau Section is preparing to host twice in a row, but in Perpignan, in an Aimé-Giral stadium renowned for its warm, sometimes hostile atmosphere, and sold out (14,232 spectators) for the eighth time in a row.
The Catalan “cathedral”, however, remained mostly indifferent to the presence of Auradou on the ground. “I came with my friends to see USAP win. Auradou, we don’t care“, exclaims Léa, a 22-year-old student, who “followed the affair from afar“.
“As long as he’s presumed innocent, I don’t see why he couldn’t play again“, believes Robert, a Perpignan supporter who has been involved since 1982. “Nothing prevents him from doing his job. And his job is to play rugby.” Only a few taunts accompanied the Pau players upon their arrival at the stadium, an hour and a half before kick-off. When the team composition was announced, there was no hostile reaction from the public either.
Correct match, cramps and silence
It was rather on the media side that we had to look for a certain excitement. Many national media were present, with 34% more requests for accreditations compared to an “ordinary” match. All the cameras were turned on Auradou, when he got off the bus from Pau, during his warm-up or when he entered the pitch. He had to wait a little over nine minutes and a cleanly captured touch five meters from the Catalan in-goal for him to touch his first ball. But here again, Aimé-Giral’s public showed nothing.
Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou
Credit: Getty Images
Focused on defensive tasks, the second line had a decent match, without waves. He played 74 minutes before suffering from cramps and giving way to Thomas Jolmès. There were a few whistles when he left, but they were not necessarily aimed at him: Usap was still trailing before snatching victory (11-10) thanks to a penalty in stoppage time.
“He was very good, effective like last season“, commented Pau manager Sébastien Piqueronies. “We found him full of energy, very alert and efficient in the air. He was calm and determined. The reception of the public? We had no particular fear.” Asked by the media, Auradou did not appear at a press conference after the meeting. He preferred to speak on the pitch while awaiting the outcome of the affair.
