Nine Former Cobreloa Youth Players Arrested for Alleged Gang Rape in Chile

In a shocking development, nine former youth players of the Chilean football club Cobreloa have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged gang rape of an 18-year-old woman. The arrests, carried out by the Sexual Crimes Investigation Brigade of the Chilean Police Investigations Department on Thursday, have sent shockwaves through the sporting community and raised serious questions about the culture within the club.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the pervasive issue of sexual violence and the need for accountability within institutions, including sports organizations. This incident highlights the pervasive issue of sexual violence and the need for accountability within institutions, including sports organizations. It also emphasizes the importance of ensuring that victims of sexual assault receive fair treatment and justice, rather than being discouraged from pursuing their cases.

The nine individuals, all Chilean and aged 21, were apprehended in different cities across the country, including Calama, Antofagasta, Santiago, and Osorno. Among those detained are two current Cobreloa footballers and seven former youth players. The alleged crime took place during the Fiestas Patrias celebrations in 2021 at the Casa Naranja, the training facility for Cobreloa's youth team, where the victim was allegedly attacked by the group.

Initially, the case was closed after the complainant withdrew her statement, but it was reopened on account of possible defects in the investigation. The victim publicly declared that the Investigative Police (PDI) had suggested she abandon the case, citing the club's good lawyers and her lack of resources. "They told me many things that made me give up. They told me 'you have to understand that it is a sports club, that they have good lawyers... what do you have, who is going to pay for your lawyers, you are alone and you don't look that affected either,'"the victim testified to Channel 13.

Cobreloa had previously issued a statement in April 2023 claiming that "it was not possible to prove that massive abuse or rape had been committed." However, the Antofagasta Regional Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants after resuming the investigation. The suspects will face a detention control hearing on Friday and will be formalized for violation, with the prosecutor seeking precautionary measures.

National deputy Andrés Celis, a member of the Chamber's Sports Commission, strongly condemned Cobreloa, stating that the rape was"truly brutal"and that the club's leaders had attempted to hide the incident. "This was a truly brutal violation. I had to read the investigative files. It was carried out between 8 to 10 players and former cadet players, many of them today playing in professional soccer,"Celis said. He further added, "The rape was something absolutely brutal, inhumane, that upon reading it, not even in the worst of movies, could one be convinced that a person could act in this way."

The National Professional Football Association (ANFP) has taken swift action against the players involved, imposing an immediate sporting suspension. The ANFP stated, "If those investigated are convicted by justice, the ANFP will take all relevant action to enforce the maximum sporting sanctions contained within the regulations contained in the law." The association had also requested Club de Deportes Cobreloa to activate the protocol established in Decree No. 22 on the Prevention and Punishment of Conduct of Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Harassment, discrimination, and abuse in the country's sporting activity, directing the club to act with diligence and speed in this serious matter.

The arrests of the nine former Cobreloa youth players mark a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the alleged gang rape. The sporting community is reeling from the shocking revelations, the focus now turns to ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation, supporting the victim, and implementing robust measures to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring in the future. The detention control hearing scheduled for Friday will be a pivotal step in determining the fate of the accused and seeking justice for the victim.

Key Takeaways

• Nine former Cobreloa youth players arrested for alleged gang rape of 18-year-old woman.
• Incident occurred in 2021 at Cobreloa's training facility during Fiestas Patrias celebrations.
• Victim initially withdrew statement, but case reopened due to possible investigation defects.
• Cobreloa previously claimed no evidence of rape, but arrest warrants issued after new investigation.
• National Professional Football Association suspends players, vows to impose maximum sanctions if convicted.