Four footballers from Velez Sarsfield, an Argentine premier division club, were temporarily taken into custody on Monday as part of a probe into claims that they sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel room earlier this month, according to the plaintiff’s attorney.
Sebastian Sosa from Uruguay, Jose Florentin from Paraguay, and Braian Cufre and Abiel Osorio from Argentina have been instructed to remain in custody for 48 hours while a judge considers whether they should be kept under arrest while the investigation continues.
The decision to detain them was made after a request by prosecutor Eugenia Maria Posse following a three-hour interview with the alleged victim.
In a statement aired on TV, the accuser’s lawyer, Patricia Neme, stated that there was “adequate evidence to seek pre-trial detention” as the four individuals had “sufficient means” to flee if they wished to avoid standing trial.
A 24-year-old sports journalist claimed that she was invited by Sosa to a hotel room in Tucuman, Argentina, where the other three were also present.
She reported feeling lightheaded after consuming some drinks, lying down on a bed, and subsequently being sexually assaulted.
Velez Sarsfield, based in Buenos Aires, announced in a statement on Monday that it had suspended the four players and initiated an internal investigation.
“The Club expresses its deep concern about the reported events, which are clearly against the principles and values of our institution,” the statement read.
A judge will make a decision on Wednesday regarding whether to prolong the players’ detention.
AFP