Women Press Freedom notes prevalent sexual harassment against women sports journalists, but this reported rape marks unprecedented escalation

Location: Argentina, Tucumán

Date: March 3, 2024

Update: March 26, 2024

Women Press Freedom is appalled by the recent rape allegations of a young sports journalist by players from the Argentine soccer club Vélez Sarsfield. The reported assault in Tucumán on March 3, 2024, is a grave incident that underscores the dangers women journalists face, especially within the realm of sports journalism. Our documentation of violations against women sports journalists shows numerous cases of sexual harassment and online abuse targeting women sports journalists, but an incident as serious as this reported rape is a shocking occurrence. The courage of the victim in coming forward is commendable, and we stand in solidarity with her during this profoundly difficult time. The swift actions taken by the authorities and Vélez Sarsfield's management, including the house arrest of the three of the accused players and suspension of their contracts, are steps in the right direction. These measures, however, are just the beginning of what needs to be a comprehensive approach to addressing sexual violence within the sports industry. It is essential that the investigation into this case is thorough, transparent, and swift, ensuring that justice is served without delay.

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In the early hours of March 3, 2024 in a room of the Hilton Hotel in Tucumán, a young sports journalist alleges a group of players from the Velez Sarsfield soccer club raped her.

The 24-year-old sports reporter says she was invited to the hotel room by Sebastian Sosa, a Uruguayan goalkeeper, following a soccer match between Velez Sarsfield and Atletico Tucuman. When she arrived at the room, she found Sosa and three other players, Jose Florentin, Braian Cufre, and Abiel Osorio, waiting. After having some drinks, the reporter started feeling dizzy and laid down on a bed. That is when the four players raped her, she recounts.

The case has been classified as "sexual assault with aggravated intercourse by two or more persons" by the woman's legal defense team. 

The prosecutor is bringing rape charges against players Braian Cufre and Jose Florentin, while Abiel Osario is accused of sexual abuse. A judge has ordered a 90-day house arrest for the three players. The fourth, Sebastian Sosa, was granted $57,000 bail and banned from leaving the country for 90 days. He is being charged as a secondary participant.

Sosa has denied the allegations via his Instagram account, repudiating the use of violence and expressing trust in the justice system. His three teammates have not yet commented.

In a statement following the decision to place the suspects under house arrest, the sports reporter revealed that her “life has been hell” since the attack. 

She claims that the players have shared her name, photo and ID in WhatsApp groups, despite the court’s order to withhold her identity. She has received a barrage of abuse and cannot go out in public alone.

“They have leaked my face through chats from them,” said the journalist. “They have leaked my address. They have leaked my ID, name and everything. I can't go alone, or even buy a book at the mall because of the way people look at me. The comments that have reached me have been aberrant.” .

She also expressed her anger that the soccer players were being held under house arrest and not in jail. "It doesn’t 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 has been hell," she said,

The ramifications of this incident have reverberated beyond the individual players involved, impacting Velez Sarsfield's reputation as a prominent and successful soccer club. In a bid to address the situation, the club has suspended the contracts of the four players and launched an internal investigation. The club expressed deep concern over the reported events, stating that they are contrary to the principles and values of the institution.

Sexual Harassment of Women Sports Journalists

This case is indicative of a broader issue prevalent in the sports industry: the mistreatment and harassment faced by women sports journalists in the course of their work. American sports reporter Britt Ghiroli revealed that in 2012, while reporting on the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, she was misled and lured to a player's hotel room under the guise of an interview, only to face unwelcome advances. From France to the United States, Women Press Freedom has documented instances of unwanted advances, harassment, and assault.

In 2015, Sports Illustrated (SI) published a piece highlighting the sexual harassment faced by women sports reporters. The report recounts numerous instances of harassment, including unwanted advances from athletes, coaches, and executives, as well as inappropriate behavior in locker rooms and via social media.

Despite the prevalence of such harassment in the sports industry, many women hesitate to speak out, fearing the impact on their careers in a male-dominated industry. The difficulty of proving harassment and the potential consequences of legal action for speaking publicly contribute to this reluctance.

Women Press Freedom commends the bravery of the sports reporter for taking legal action against the accused players. By doing so, she not only seeks justice for herself but also sends a powerful message that sexual violence will not be tolerated or swept under the rug. We welcome the swift response from Argentine authorities and Velez Sarsfield management; it signifies a commitment to addressing these allegations with the seriousness they deserve. We will continue to monitor progress in the case and urge swift justice for the reporter. It is vitally vital that the sports industry creates a safe and supportive environment for women journalists, free from assault, harassment, and mistreatment.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.