This Saturday, despite the clear victory against Stade Français (35-18), there was a scent of unease in La Rochelle. If Ronan O'Gara's men shone, winning the offensive bonus to reposition themselves in the leading pack of the Top 14, the spotlight was mainly focused on a returnee: Oscar Jegou. Almost four months to the day after his arrest in Mendoza (Argentina) on July 7, the La Rochelle flanker played rugby again.
Still indicted, along with Palois Hugo Auradou, for aggravated rape, Jegou delivered a solid performance for his return to competition, even paying himself the luxury of scoring his team's third try shortly after the hour mark. (61st). Not inhibited despite some 120 days without playing, the native of Rochelle was present for his first match at Marcel-Deflandre since the outbreak of the affair.
“I wondered how he was going to be received, but I am happy for him,” said his pillar teammate Alexandre Kaddouri. He wasn't that stressed, he just wanted to play rugby again. » It was in fact, beyond the sporting aspect, the question of the evening: what would be the reception given by the La Rochelle venue and its loyal public? The least we can say is that it was warm.
Stade Rochelais changed its mind regarding the postponements of the dismissal hearing
Gave a standing ovation and applause, like his partners, during the presentation of the teams by the speaker, Jegou saw his name chanted after having flattened the break attempt. Visibly touched by the reaction of La Rochelle fans, the French international (1 selection) sent them a heart as a thank you. Rebelote after the final whistle, when the “Jegou!” Jegou! » insistent people still came down from the Deflandre stands during the players' lap of honor.
A strong demonstration of affection that some followers of the maritime club hardly appreciated. Unlike Pau, which did not hesitate to launch Auradou back into the deep end in October, Stade Rochelais had set itself the policy of waiting for a court decision clearing its player before reinstating him. But faced with repeated postponements of the dismissal hearing date, and due to the absence of several players in the third line position (Alldritt, Boudehent, Cancoriet), the 2022 and 2023 European champions finally changed their mind, starting their number 7 against Stade Français.
“We must live up to the values we defend”
Several fans did not hesitate to speak out on social networks. This is the case of Axel Pillaud, supporter of La Rochelle and author of an open letter on his X account this Sunday morning. “What happened last night at Deflandre shook me deeply (…) I deplore that the supporters were placed in this situation by the club,” he explains. With more hindsight, this could have been avoided. Last night, I felt a deep discomfort, as if what I thought I shared with the people around me had disappeared, giving way to something profoundly foreign. »
“The message sent to victims of sexist and sexual violence, and to those who do not dare to file a complaint, is chilling,” continues the La Rochelle supporter. Acclaiming an accused before justice has ruled, and after the club has said it is convinced of his innocence, is to remind them to what extent their word can be ignored. It is not just a question of sport, but of collective responsibility. Every gesture, every public reaction influences the way our society perceives sexist and sexual violence. We must live up to the values we defend. We can do better. We must do better,” he concludes.
“Jegou holder, I’m coming back, I’m going to vomit”
Liked more than 800 times and shared by more than 200 people, the message visibly reflects unease within part of the yellow and black community. “I had never been ashamed of supporting Stade Rochelais. This is the case now,” wrote another supporter, for example. “Jegou titular… I’ll be back, I’m going to throw up.” Not proud of you my club. Not proud at all,” says a supporter. More measured but pointing out the same problem, another fan sums up: “He had a very good match but it was too early to play him”.
Would the gap widen between the defenders of a moral framework and the supporters only interested in the sporting dimension? This is particularly the case of the “Club des Bagnards Rochelais”, one of the groups hosting the Maritimes den on match nights and of its president, Maxime Collin. “The Bagnards’ position is clear, we only intervene on the sporting side,” he told us. We refrain from commenting on anything extra-sporting. Oscar (Jegou) gave a tremendous performance and that's all that interests me. »
