In a shocking turn of events, two professional Italian footballers are facing charges after gang-raping a 22-yar old US student they met in a nightclub.
The footballers are Mattia Lucarelli, son of ex-Livorno striker Cristiano, and Federico Apolloni. Both the players are now all set to face a preliminary hearing amid the investigation. Apart from the duo, three of their friends were also involved in the heinous crime.
The footballers along with their pals raped the US student at a private apartment in Milan on the night between March 26 and 27 last year. Apolloni is a central midfield player for Livorno while and Lucarelli plies his trade for Serie D side Follonica,
Magistrate Alessia Menegazzo and deputy Letizia Mannella, from the city’s prosecutor’s office, requested the indictment on the charge of sexual assault for the two 23-year-old footballers. The prosecutors have also requested an indictment for the three friends who participated in the alleged rape.
As per La Presse, the officials have also coordinated a months-long investigation to reconstruct what happened on the fateful evening. What helped them in their investigation was the videos found on the footballers’ mobile phones.
According to Italian outlet Corriere Della Sera, the victim was deceived after accepting to take a lift from the group of boys she met at Gattopardo nightclub, in Milan’s city centre. The preliminary hearing has been set by investigating judge Roberto Crepaldi for June 13.
Earlier this year on January 20, both Apolloni and Lucarelli were place under house arrest. They were told to stay in Livorno and were barred from leaving their respective home from 8pm to 8am. Later, the Court of Review decided to revoke the house arrest measure. Meanwhile, both the players have strongly denied the allegations.
Footballers who have been accused of rape:
Footballers being accused of rape is nothing new. In the past, some of the biggest names of the game have been also been accused of committing this heinous crime. In 2010 the footballing world received a huge shock when superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of raping a US model in Vegas. Other big names like Neymar, Karim Benzema and several others have also been accused of the same.
Summary of the article:
- Italian footballers – Mattia Lucarelli and Federico Apolloni – facing charges of sexual assault.
- The victim is a 22-year old US student.
- Lucarelli plays for Serie D side Follonica while Apolloni plays for Livorno.
- The preliminary hearing has been set for June 13.
- Three other friends involved in the crime too.
- The crime was committed in March last year.
- In January, the footballers were placed under house arrest before it was revoked by the Court of Review.