Former Chilean football team player Jorge Valdiviaan idol from Palmeiras and Colo-Colo, was placed in preventive detention this Tuesday 22nd, following a report of rape, a court of Justice reported.
“It appears that there is a danger to the safety of society and the freedom of the accused”, indicated the judge responsible for the case at the custody hearing.
The judge ordered preventive detention within 90 days and ordered Valdivia’s transfer to a prison in Rancagua, 80 kilometers from the capital, Santiago.
If found guilty, the Chilean could face 15 years in prison.
Valdivia, 41, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday by police just hours after the alleged victim made the complaint.
The alleged crime would have occurred after the two went to dinner on Sunday night at a Peruvian restaurant. After leaving the place, the couple went to the woman’s house, where “a consensual relationship” with Valdivia took place, the former player’s lawyer said at a press conference.
But, according to the complaint published in the local press, after consuming two pisco sours, a local drink, the alleged victim woke up in her home without remembering what had happened and with signs of sexual assault.
The former player published a statement in which he “categorically denied having sexually assaulted” the woman.
His lawyer announced that he will appeal the court decision soon.
Indefinite suspension
Valdivia, who retired from professional football in July 2022, works as a sports commentator at DNA Radio.
The broadcaster suspended him indefinitely from his duties.
“The Management of Prisa Media (owner of DNA Radio) took the decision to suspend Jorge Valdivia’s participation for an indefinite period until the Court resolves his legal situation,” the company said in a statement.
Jorge Valdivia was part of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ that led Chile to win the 2015 Copa América. With ‘La Roja’ he also competed in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
The Chilean developed an important part of his career at Chile’s Colo-Colo and Palmeiras, where he stood out as a creative player with good touch of the ball.
He also played for UAE side Al-Ain and Al-Wahda; Monarcas, Maztlán and Necaxa, from Mexico; and Rayo Vallecano, from Spain, among others.
The accusation against Valdivia had great repercussions on social media, as it occurred just days after the dismissal of vice-minister Manuel Monsalve, responsible for combating crime in the government of Gabriel Boricreported for the same crime. Everyone involved would have consumed ‘pisco sour’.
