This USAP-Pau match (11-10), played at Aimé-Giral this Saturday October 5, 2024, had more than just rugby interest. Because on the lips of many of the 14,232 spectators present, for an 8th consecutive sold-out match at Aimé-Giral, the name of Hugo Auradou came up regularly. The player from the Pau Section indicted for aggravated rape returned to a rugby field this Saturday. He played his last match on July 6 with the XV of France, the day before the affair in Argentina.
Not one whistle louder than the other. Hugo Auradou, jersey number 4 on his back, is a player almost like the others this Saturday October 5, 2024 at Aimé-Giral. Almost, because the second row of the Pau Section is playing for the first time on a rugby field since his indictment, still ongoing, for aggravated rape. The day before, October 4, a request for dismissal of the case was filed by the public prosecutor’s office in Mendoza (Argentina).
His return to the field is expected. Scrutinized. As evidenced by the exceptionally crowded press gallery. More 34% of journalists accredited for this match compared to an ordinary match at the start of the season. The Parisian editorial offices of France 2, AFP video, M6, RTL and Europe 1 sent their correspondents to the site. “What is happening with Auradou goes beyond the rugby frameworktestifies Alexis Bourdon for Europe 1. The case takes place in a sport that is increasingly publicized, with increasingly well-known players… We are dealing with a social fact.”
“We would have preferred the matter to be completely over”
While at the player’s entrance all observers await the reaction of Aimé-Giral, renowned for his growling rownot an insult was intended for him. The boos are for the entire team. As with each opponent’s entry into the “Cathedral” blood and gold. The only whistles against him were heard as he left the field, ten minutes before the end of the match. A few copious seconds, as is customary at Aimé-Giral, which will even be followed by applause. “Honestly, we wouldn’t have thought it would happen like this.breathes Didier, Pau supporter. But we are relieved. Because we are happy with his return. He’s an important player for us.” An opinion shared by Sonia, a 34-year-old from Perpignan, who admits to being “quite happy“of the return of the player indicted.”For me, he was questioned enough. If he’s here, it’s because he didn’t do anything.“A speech that would make you jump, Maxime, a 19-year-old Catalan. He decides: “His presence? It’s a shame. This story didn’t come out of a hat. In any case, true or not, we had to at least wait for a judgment or a dismissal before bringing him back into the game. Even if it meant making an accelerated judgment. This is not normal.“
The nuance is carried by a Pau-Catalan couple. Laurent, the Palois, and Ingrid, the Catalan, are divided: “As for rugby, we are happy that he is on the field. On the other hand, for the rest, we would have really preferred that the matter was completely over before he came back“. As they share their analysis, they are interrupted by their little Maxime, 10 years old, naively asking: “Who are we talking about?“. “Auradou“, he hears before responding: “Oh no not him, I don’t like him!“. Taken aback, everyone asks the child to explain the reasons for his anger against number 4. “Well, he makes too many mistakes!“Little Maxime closes the debate for this evening.
