Peruvian Footballer Zambrano Accuses Alleged Abuse Victim of Extortion
Peruvian footballer Carlos Zambrano has alleged extortion against an Argentine woman who accused him and two former Alianza Lima players of sexual assault. The claim follows an incident that reportedly took place in January at a hotel in Montevideo. Zambrano’s lawyer, Gonzalo Hidalgo, announced the legal action on Monday.
Details of the Allegations
The accusations of sexual abuse surfaced on January 18, involving a 22-year-old Argentine woman. She alleged that Zambrano, along with Miguel Trauco and Sergio Peña, assaulted her while Alianza Lima was on pre-season training. Following the revelation of these claims, the club promptly sidelined the players.
Extortion Claims Made by Zambrano
According to Hidalgo, Zambrano received extortion messages via social media a day before the public disclosure of the allegations. The attorney stated that the woman, along with two unidentified individuals, extended demands to Zambrano to communicate with them to resolve the issue privately. If he refused, they threatened to escalate the matter further.
- Zambrano’s age: 36 years
- Victim’s age: 22 years
- Date of original allegation: January 18
- Club’s action date: January 23
Repercussions for the Involved Players
As the allegations gained traction, Alianza Lima took disciplinary action against Zambrano, Trauco, and Peña. On January 23, the club removed them from the roster, effectively ending their association with the team. Last week, Alianza Lima officially announced the departure of Peña and Trauco without addressing Zambrano’s position.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Peña secured a new contract with Turkish club Sakaryaspor, joining the second division. The situation surrounding the trio has become a significant talking point in Peruvian football.
Public and Legal Response
The allegations have sparked a heated discourse. Luis Deuteris, representing the young woman, criticized Zambrano’s legal actions, stating that targeting a victim of abuse constitutes a serious wrongdoing. This incident raises important questions about how abuse cases are handled in the sports community.
As Alianza Lima prepares for its Copa Libertadores match against Paraguayan team 2 de Mayo, the focus remains on the implications of these accusations and the future of the accused players.
