French Rugby Federation Overhauls Discipline After Argentina Tour
- During a summer tour in Argentina, French rugby players faced serious allegations, including charges of aggravated rape and racist remarks.
- Florian Grill, president of the French rugby federation, announced an overhaul of the disciplinary system to impose clear sanctions.
- The federation aims to restore integrity and accountability in the sport following these troubling incidents.
In July 2023, during a summer tour in Argentina, the French rugby team faced serious allegations involving players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who were charged with aggravated rape after an incident in a hotel room. This incident overshadowed their first international caps against Argentina. Additionally, player Melvyn Jaminet was sent home and suspended for making racist remarks on social media. In response to these events, Florian Grill, president of the French rugby federation, announced a significant overhaul of the disciplinary system within the France teams. Grill emphasized the need for a clear framework to impose sanctions and prevent future misconduct, criticizing the previous flexible structure that allowed excesses during post-match celebrations. He expressed a commitment to ending the culture of acceptance surrounding such behaviors, which he deemed unacceptable in a professional sports environment. The French rugby federation plans to unveil a detailed disciplinary plan in the coming days, aiming to align the sport's values with the expectations of sponsors and partners. Grill's statements reflect a broader effort to restore integrity and accountability within French rugby following these troubling incidents.