BUENOS AIRES, March 19, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Four footballers of Argentine
premier division club Velez Sarsfield were provisionally detained Monday in
an investigation into allegations they raped a woman in a hotel room this
month, the plaintiff's lawyer said.

The four -- Uruguayan Sebastian Sosa, Paraguay's Jose Florentin and
Argentines Braian Cufre and Abiel Osorio -- were ordered held for 48 hours
until a judge decides whether they should remain under arrest pending the
investigation.

The detention order came after a request by prosecutor Eugenia Maria Posse
following a three-hour interview with the alleged victim.

In a statement broadcast on TV, the accuser's lawyer Patricia Neme said there
were "sufficient elements to request pre-trial detention" as the four had
"sufficient means" to flee if they wanted to avoid trial.

A sports journalist, 24, alleged she was invited by Sosa to a hotel room in
Tucuman, Argentina, where the other three were also waiting.

She said she felt dizzy after a few drinks, lay down on a bed, and was then
raped.

Velez Sarsfield, from Buenos Aires, said in a statement Monday it had
suspended the four players and ordered an internal investigation.

"The Club reiterates its deepest concern about the reported events, which are
clearly contrary to the principles and values of our institution," it said.

A judge will decide Wednesday whether to extend the players' detention.