Just as he had already done with goalkeeper Sebastián Sosa, Velez Sarsfield decided to terminate the contracts Abiel Osorio, Jose Florentin y Brian Cufrethe other three players involved in a complaint of sexual abuse in Tucuman.
While the schedule and venue for the semifinal of the League Cup in which you must face Argentinos Juniorsthe club based in Liniers reported on the disciplinary measure it took with Osorio, Florentín and Cufré, who are serving house arrest in a country near the capital of Tucumán, awaiting the resolution of Justice.
According to the statement shared from Vélez, the club carried out an internal investigation to make this exemplary determination, in coordination with the Football, Gender and Legal areas “to safeguard and protect the interests of the institution.”
After the Justice of Tucumán dictated house arrest to Osorio, Florentín and Cufré, a bail of 50 million pesos from each one granted them freedom, but with severe restrictions that keep them behind “virtual bars” in a country called “La Arboleda”, located 17 kilometers from the capital of Tucumán.
Despite not having specific prohibitions, the three players were urged to avoid any contact with the sexual abuse complainant. Precisely, the victim, upon finding out where the soccer players are staying, stated: “It would not seem fair to me that they spend the remainder of the trial in a house, in a country house, with a swimming pool, with a soccer goal, having a good time when my life is a hell”.
Once some details of what happened in Tucumán began to become known, Vélez began to take drastic measures with his players. He first announced the suspension of the employment contracts of those involved and the initiation of an internal summary to clarify the facts. That investigation was going to reach a conclusion on April 6, but the decision ended up being extended until this Tuesday, the 23rd, when the players were informed of what was resolved.
“Immediate termination” is the title of the statement shared by Vélez in relation to the future of Osorio, Florentín and Cufré.
Vélez’s statement
“To date, the Club notified the players Abiel Osorio, José Florentin and Braian Cufré of the termination with immediate effect of their respective employment contracts.
The measure was adopted after an internal investigation, through an administrative summary, which determined that the aforementioned players incurred serious workplace misconduct, which grounds the termination due to their contractual ties.
The Club’s Football, Gender and Legal areas, among others, have worked permanently and in a coordinated manner in order to address the situation with the seriousness it deserves, complying with all the corresponding steps and taking all necessary measures to safeguard and protect the interests of the Institution”.
Who are the players involved?
Defender Braian Cufré, 27 years old, returned to Vélez this year. Born in Mar del Plata and with a good appearance at Fortín as a left back, he was transferred to Mallorca in Spain in mid-2020 but could not establish himself in the island club, loaned to Málaga and New York City of the MLS until be free in December to seal his return to Liniers.
Abiel Osorio came to Vélez at the club when he was thirteen years old. He is 21 and is the nephew of Aldo Osorio, who passed through the club. Osorio made his debut in the First Division at Fortín on March 6, 2022 against Estudiantes, in a match for the Professional League Cup. A month later he made his debut in the net: it was in the 2-1 victory against Colón and the year Last year he was called up by Mascherano to the U-23 National Team. He had a contract with the Liniers club until the end of the year
José Ignacio Florentín was born on July 5, 1996 in Paraguay. He became a junior in Guarani in his country and at the age of 15 he arrived at Gimnasia de La Plata. He jumped to Paraguay’s second team and returned to his club of origin. He debuted at 23 years old and in 2021 he had a great season: he scored eleven goals, was called up to the National Team and appeared on Vélez’s radar. He arrived at Fortín in January 2022, he played 40 games and scored four goals.