Six Grenoble players detained after rape complaint
Six players from French Top 14 side Grenoble have been detained after a complaint of rape was made to police.
The players were questioned after the alleged victim told police that she was raped by members of the Grenoble squad at a Bordeaux hotel last month.
The club sacked six unnamed players last week in relation to the investigation.
In a statement last week, Grenoble said on its English language website:
"The Police Judiciaire of Bordeaux informed the FC Grenoble Rugby that players of its professional staff were going to be heard next week in the context of an "investigation for flagrance" opened last Sunday 12 March in Bordeaux. The club will respond to any solicitation from the court to assist in the manifestation of the truth.
"In order to protect the club and its staff and to avoid any confusion between this investigation, which concerns individual and private behavior, and the FC Grenoble Rugby, we decided to immediately lay off the players concerned before their audition.
"FC Grenoble Rugby also wants to make it clear that the players who will be heard are presumed innocent and that the Club does not in any way substitute for justice; the police investigation being the only one able to determine the implications of each other.
"FC Grenoble Rugby is deeply affected by these events, which in no way correspond to the values we defend and to which we firmly believe."
