The La Plata court found the former Estudiantes footballer guilty of sexual assault with carnal access that occurred in 2021
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The Oral Criminal Court No. 5 of La Plata, presided over by Judge Ezequiel Medrano, handed down a sentence of six years and eight months in prison against former Estudiantes de La Plata player Diego García this Tuesday for the crime of sexual abuse with carnal access. The sentence marks the conclusion of a judicial process that began in 2021 and had an immediate effect: the player was taken into custody at the end of the verdict reading.
The oral trial, which began on October 28, concluded on November 5 with the presentation of closing arguments. After a recess, the court announced the verdict at midday, which also establishes that the footballer must serve house arrest with an electronic ankle monitor until the sentence becomes final. Meanwhile, in the sports arena, his current club, Peñarol, has alreadydecided to terminate his contract, a measure that will take effect in the coming hours.
Peñarol le rescindirá el contrato
The case began following a complaint filed by Clara Bulacio, who in February of that year reported that she had been abused by García at a country house in the town of Abasto during a gathering of the Pincha squad. According to her testimony, while she was waiting to enter the bathroom, the footballer grabbed her by force, entered the place with her, and raped her.
As soon as the incident became known, the La Plata club activated its gender protocols and García was separated from the squad, and although he returned to training, he never played again. After his departure, he went through Talleres, Patronato, Emelec, and Liverpool of Uruguay before joining Peñarol.
During the trial, prosecutor Lucas Domsky had requested an eight-year prison sentence, considering the sexual assault proven in a context of gender-based violence. In contrast, the player's defense requested acquittal, arguing that the relationship had been "consensual".
