Buenos Aires, March 18, 2024, The Europe Today: A troubling development has rocked the Argentinian premier division football club Velez Sarsfield as four of its professional footballers were provisionally taken into custody on Monday, embroiled in a disturbing investigation surrounding allegations of rape leveled against them by a female sports journalist earlier in March.
The players in question include Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa (37), Paraguayan midfielder Jose Florentin (27), and Argentinians Braian Cufre (27), a defender, and Abiel Osorio (21), a striker. They were ordered to be detained for 48 hours pending a judicial decision on their continued arrest as the investigation progresses.
The plaintiff, a 24-year-old sports reporter, recounted a harrowing ordeal alleging she was invited to a hotel room in Tucuman, Argentina, by Sebastian Sosa following Velez Sarsfield’s match against Atletico Tucuman on March 2. It’s reported that upon arrival, she was joined by the other three accused footballers. She claimed to have consumed alcohol, felt incapacitated, and subsequently experienced sexual assault.
The case has been classified as “sexual assault with aggravated intercourse by two or more persons,” as asserted by the woman’s legal representation. The prosecuting attorneys have emphasized the necessity for pre-trial detention, citing concerns about potential flight risks given the players’ resources.
While veteran goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa has publicly denied the allegations via his Instagram account, his three teammates are yet to comment on the matter.
In response to the grave allegations, Velez Sarsfield has taken decisive action, suspending the contracts of the implicated players and initiating an internal investigation. The club released a statement expressing deep concern over the reported events, reaffirming their commitment to principles and values.
Velez Sarsfield, a renowned football institution with a storied history in Argentine football, has faced a tumultuous period following this disturbing revelation. The allegations have not only cast a shadow over the club but have also raised broader questions regarding the safety and treatment of women within the sports industry.
As the investigation unfolds, the footballing community awaits further developments while grappling with the profound implications of this distressing incident.
