On Monday, an investigation led to the provisional detention of four footballers from Velez Sarsfield, a premier division club in Argentina. The allegations against them were of a serious nature, involving the rape of a woman in a hotel room earlier this month, as stated by the lawyer representing the plaintiff.
Authorities held the quartet, consisting of Sebastian Sosa from Uruguay, Jose Florentin from Paraguay, and Argentines Braian Cufre and Abiel Osorio, for a period of 48 hours. Authorities implemented this as a temporary measure until a judge could decide whether to extend their arrest during the investigation.
Following a three-hour interview with the alleged victim, prosecutor Eugenia Maria Posse requested the detention order. Patricia Neme, the lawyer of the accuser, made a statement on television asserting that there were enough grounds to request pre-trial detention. She argued that the four accused had ample resources to abscond if they wished to evade trial.
The 24-year-old sports journalist, who is the alleged victim, claimed that Sosa invited her to a hotel room in Tucuman, Argentina. Upon arrival, she found the other three accused already present. After consuming a few drinks, she began to feel dizzy and laid down on a bed, alleging that someone raped her thereafter.
In response to these allegations, Velez Sarsfield, based in Buenos Aires, released a statement on Monday announcing the suspension of the four players and the commencement of an internal investigation. The club expressed its deep concern over the reported events, stating that they were in stark contrast to the principles and values of their institution.
A judge is set to make the decision on whether to extend the players’ detention on Wednesday.
