PARIS (AP) — French prosecutors are investigating an alleged gang rape of an Australian woman on a visit to Paris where preparations to host the 2024 Olympics are in the final stretch, according to judicial authorities Wednesday.
The Paris public prosecutor’s office said in a statement a 25-year-old Australian woman told authorities in the French capital that she was raped, adding they are investigating the incident as a gang rape. French media reported five men raped the woman.
The statement did not name the victim but said the alleged assault occurred overnight Friday, July 19, and that the woman then sought refuge in a Paris restaurant where firefighters provided emergency assistance and later took the victim to a hospital.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement Wednesday that the Australian Embassy in Paris has sought to offer consular assistance to a citizen, who had been assaulted in the French capital.
“We understand that this is a very traumatic experience and stand ready to provide assistance,” the statement said. It did not provide any other information to protect the victim's privacy.
Reports in Australian media said the victim had initially planned to immediately return to Australia but later decided to stay in France. It did not provide any other information due to privacy obligations.
Paris security authorities have been on high alert in the lead-up to the Olympic Games that kick off on Friday with an open-air ceremony on the River Seine. The city is deploying 35,000 police officers daily for the Olympics, which run until Aug. 11, with a peak of 45,000 for the opening ceremony. In addition, 10,000 soldiers are taking part in security operations in the Paris region.
FILE - A woman pulls her luggage along fences of the security perimeter, with Notre Dame cathedral in background, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Paris, France. French prosecutors are investigating an alleged rape of an Australian woman visiting Paris, just two days before the start of the 2024 Olympics. A 25-year-old Australian woman has reported to Paris authorities that she was gang raped last week, a statement from the public prosecutor’s office in the French capital said on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla, File)
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Hoping to show its first-round exit at the Copa America was a fluke, the United States instead displayed an alarming lack of intensity and an abundant defensive disarray that resulted in its first home loss to Canada since 1957.
Jacob Shaffelburg and Jonathan David scored off defensive misplays, and Canada dominated 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday for just its second win over the Americans in 27 matches over 99 years on U.S. soil.
While Jesse Marsch, Canada's American-born coach, glowed following a win over a team that bypassed him for its coaching opening last year, interim U.S. coach Mikey Varas rebuked himself and his players.
“The mentality is on the players. Sorry, they know it,” Varas said. “That mentality to fight and to run and to sacrifice, I can’t do that for them. I can’t do that for them. That’s on them.”
Coming off defeats to Panama and Uruguay at the Copa America, the U.S. has lost three straight games for the first time since 2015 against Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica. A defeat to New Zealand on Tuesday at Cincinnati would result in the Americans' first four-game losing streak since 2007.
“All over the park today, our mentality just wasn't quite there,” defender Chris Richards said.
Varas moved up from assistant after Gregg Berhalter was fired following the Copa America flop. The U.S. Soccer Federation has been trying to reach an agreement for Mauricio Pochettino to become the team’s 10th coach in 14 years but has not commented on the talks, which began in mid-August.
“You just never know how it’s going to translate from training to the game after three training sessions, and I asked a lot of them,” Varas said. “The first goal, that’s on me, both the goals, because when you don’t have a lot of time to work and you want to play a certain way, it creates confusion.”
Before a crowd of 10,523 in a just over half-full Children's Mercy Park, Shaffelburg put Canada ahead in the 17th minute after Tim Ream's pass bounced away from Johnny Cardoso. David added his 29th international goal in the 58th when Ream turned over the ball in front of his own goal.
Luca de la Torre scored his first international goal for the U.S. in the 66th minute off a pass from Aidan Morris, who entered with de la Torre four minutes earlier.
Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau used his right hand to bat away Ricardo Pepi’s open shot in the 86th.
“The translation of the ideas weren’t clear enough because you shouldn’t be static and you shouldn’t pass the ball just to pass the ball,” Varas said.
Canada hired Marsch as coach in May and finished fourth in the Copa America. He had interviewed in 2023 with the USSF before Berhalter was rehired that June.
“I'm not bitter,” Marsch said. “Most people, if they ask me a question, I answer it. That’s how I operate in the media.”
Canada outshot the U.S. 17-8, including 11-1 in the first half, and had a 31-12 margin in tackles, the worst differential for the Americans since a 2020 exhibition at Wales. The Canadians had been been winless in 23 consecutive games against the U.S. in America since a 3-2 victory at St. Louis in a World Cup qualifier on July 6, 1957.
“I’d much rather coach Canada than the U.S. right now,” Marsch said. “You can see the mentality that’s been developed. You can see the way this team plays. You can see how much they love playing for the national team and they’re willing to put their careers and lives and the way they play on the line to be the best they can be for each other and for the team.
Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made his second U.S. start and displaced Matt Turner, who hasn’t played a club match since April 2. Ream started following his transfer from Fulham to Charlotte.
No MLS players had started in the prior six matches and just eight of 198 starting positions have been been filled with MLS players in the 18 games the full pool has been available since the 2022 World Cup.
Canada went ahead when Schulte lingered on the ball after a backpass and played it wide to Ream, whose pass to Cardoso bounced away from the midfielder and was picked up by Stephen Eustáquio. He played the ball to David, who one-timed the ball to Shaffelburg. He took a touch and slid the ball past Schulte's left hand for his fourth goal in 17 international appearances.
David scored after taking Ream's giveaway and centering to Cyle Larin. Kristoffer Lund's challenge knocked the ball to David, who beat Schulte to the near post from 7 yards. David's 29 goals matched Larin for the Canada career scoring record.
De La Torre got his goal when the ball fell near his left foot 8 yards out after Joe Scally crossed on a counterattack to Morris, who spun into the penalty area.
“We just weren't intense enough at times,” de la Torre said.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Canada midfielder Ali Ahmed, left, and United States defender Kristoffer Lund (23) chase after the ball during the second half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Canada won 2-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Cyle Larin (9) and defender Moïse Bombito (15) compete for a head ball with United States defenders Tim Ream (13) and Kristoffer Lund (23) during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg scores a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against Canada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
United States goalkeeper Patrick Schulte catches a high cross during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against Canada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg (14) and United States forward Brenden Aaronson (11) chase after the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso (15) kicks the ball under pressure from Canada midfielder Mathieu Choiniere during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada defender Alphonso Davies beats United States defender Joe Scally (22) to the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg kicks to score a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against Canada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg kicks to score a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against Canada, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Cyle Larin (9) and defender Moïse Bombito (15) compete for the ball with United States defenders Tim Ream (13) and Kristoffer Lund (23) during the first half of an international friendly soccer game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Cyle Larin (9) reacts after missing a goal attempt during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada defender Moïse Bombito (15), goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau (16) and defender Joel Waterman (5) celebrate after their international friendly soccer game against United States , Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Canada won 2-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canadian players celebrate after a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada defenders Moïse Bombito, and Joel Waterman (5) celebrate after their international friendly soccer game against United States , Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Canada won 2-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Canada forward Jacob Shaffelburg, second from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half of an international friendly soccer game against United States, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
