05:33 PM
The Argentine club Independiente Rivadavia (Argentine first division) confirmed the incorporation of Sebastián Villathe Colombian former Boca Juniors footballer who was convicted of gender violence in 2023, a signing that sparked the repudiation of feminist groups in the country.
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The Colombian was confirmed as an Independiente player from the province of Mendoza (west) on Monday by the president of the club, businessman Daniel Vila, who defended the purchase in a radio interview:
“I’m not worried about what they will say. He is serving the sentence and the ruling of Justice. He is upright and that speaks well of him.”
“Sebastián Villa is a humble and respectful person. He may have had a moment of weakness “Or he will know what happened to him, but he is upright and fulfilling what justice established,” Vila remarked.
Annoyance in feminist groups
The feminist organization Ni Una Menos repudiated the signing this Tuesday in a statement published on its Instagram account: “From Ni Una Menos Mendoza we firmly reject the incorporation of Sebastián Villa to Independiente Rivadavia (…) Even though he is on parole, his actions should not be minimized.”
“The incorporation of Villa sends the wrong message to the community, especially to victims of gender violence”said the emblematic group that has brought together thousands of people in the mobilizations against sexist violence in Argentina.
Villa, 28, had been removed from Boca, one of the most popular clubs in Argentina, in 2023, after a court on the outskirts of Buenos Aires found him guilty of the crimes of “coercive threats and minor injuries with gender violence.”
But he did not have to go to prison, since the sentence, two years and one month, is considered releaseable.
That same year, a case of sexual abuse by the footballer against Tamara Doldán was brought to oral trial. QBut there was no major progress with that process.
Last March, three players from Vélez Sarsfield (first division) They were placed under house arrest for at least 90 days for sexual abuse against a journalist in the province of Tucumán (north).
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Also accused of the same act, Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastián Sosa (on parole) and his other three companions could face sentences ranging from four to 20 years in prison.
