Alianza Lima Players Suspended Following Rape Allegations in Uruguay
A 22-year-old woman’s complaint of sexual assault has led to the temporary suspension of three players from Peruvian soccer club Alianza Lima, throwing the team’s preparations for a high-profile friendly match into disarray. The club has initiated an internal disciplinary procedure while cooperating with authorities investigating the allegations.
Alianza Lima announced on Thursday that Carlos Zambrano, Miguel Trauco, and Sergio Peña would be removed from the squad. This decision comes as the players are accused of involvement in an alleged attack that took place on January 18 at the Hyatt Centric hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay, during the team’s pre-season training.The team concluded its pre-season readiness on Sunday.
the allegations surfaced after the complainant filed a report in Argentina, detailing the incident. according to reports from argentine news channel A24, the woman stated she initially had dinner with Zambrano before the encounter allegedly escalated in a hotel room, where Trauco and Peña were also present.
All three players have vehemently denied the accusations. “I categorically deny these accusations,” Zambrano stated in a post on social media. Trauco, who previously played for Brazilian club Flamengo, similarly rejected any criminal charges, asserting his willingness to cooperate with the justice system to clarify the facts. Peña also issued a denial prior to Trauco’s statement.
The suspensions mean the three players will miss Alianza Lima’s upcoming friendly match against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami scheduled for Saturday in Lima. The game was anticipated to be a major draw for fans, but the controversy surrounding the players casts a shadow over the event.
Prior to joining Alianza Lima, each player had experience playing for European clubs. Miguel Trauco notably played for Saint-Étienne in France from 2019 to 2022. The unfolding situation raises questions about the potential impact on the players’ careers and the reputation of the club.
The players have pledged to collaborate with the ongoing investigation, seeking to clear their names and address the serious allegations leveled against them. The case is expected to draw meaningful attention as it progresses through the legal system.
Why: Three Alianza Lima players – Carlos Zambrano, Miguel Trauco, and Sergio Peña – were suspended following allegations of sexual assault.
Who: The accuser is a 22-year-old woman. The accused are Carlos Zambrano, Miguel Trauco, and Sergio Peña of Alianza Lima.
What: The woman alleges a sexual assault occurred on January 18th at the Hyatt Centric hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay, during the team’s pre-season training. She reported the incident in Argentina, stating she had dinner with Zambrano before the alleged assault, with Trauco and Peña also present.
How did it end? As of this report, the players have been suspended from the team and are cooperating with both an internal club investigation and authorities.They have all denied the accusations. The players will miss the upcoming friendly match against Inter Miami. The case is ongoing and expected to draw significant legal attention.
