Live
Audio Only
One of Argentina’s most winningest soccer teams is being investigated for running a potential pedophile ring of minor-aged players.
The non-profit organization, Helping Rape Victims (Avivi) is asking Buenos Aires officials to investigate Club Atlético River Plate for potentially running a pedophile ring between 2004 and 2011.
The case began to reveal itself on March 21 when a former member of one of the minor leagues of the Independiente soccer team revealed to a psychiatrist that he and 19 others were a part of a pedophile ring. He and another five people have been detained since then.
What is known so far is that the young soccer players, most of whom came from other parts of Argentina to play and live in Buenos Aires club-sponsored dorm housing, were taken to private apartments in exclusive sectors of Buenos Aires to provide sexual acts for about $US50.
According to local media, there was one person who operated to "capture" young players, a middle person and another who brought the youths from their dorm houses to the apartments to "prostitute them."
Reports say that this case may be just the beginning of a series of investigations into youth soccer clubs around Argentina. There are also recent accusations against another club, Temperley, for possible sexual abuse of minor-aged players.
The president of Independiente is an influential truck driver union president, Hugo Moyano, who has been under investigation for laundering club money.
Argentine soccer has a long history of crossing over into politics and powerful business deals.
Newsletter
