Footballer Alexis Zárate, who was convicted of sexual abuse, has once again become the center of a scandal. The Argentine club Argentino de Quilmes has reversed its decision to sign him after the news of this decision became public. Zárate had been granted parole five months ago after serving more than two-thirds of his sentence. The footballer was detained for a little over five years following his conviction. The club's decision was made in the wake of a significant public backlash that followed the official announcement of his signing. "Dear members and fans of the Criollo First Club: we want to inform you that the president, together with the Board of Directors, has decided to refrain from contracting Alexis Zárate," the official statement read. Recall that the sentence was handed down in 2017. The court sentenced him to six years and six months in prison for rape. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 16, 2014. According to the court's determination, Zárate abused Giuliana Peralta while she was sleeping next to her partner, footballer Martín Benítez, in an apartment in Wilde. After the complaint, Independiente, the club where he had started his career, transferred him to Temperley. During the judicial process, the player remained at liberty and then emigrated abroad, where he played for FK Liepaja in Latvia, until he returned to the country as the sentence was about to take effect. In July 2025, the Court of Cassation granted him parole under strict behavioral guidelines, including a 500-meter perimeter restriction from the victim and the mandatory attendance at a masculinity workshop. Argentino de Quilmes's reversal was aimed at de-escalating the situation and closing an episode that had a strong institutional and social impact. "From the leadership, Technical Secretariat, and Technical Body, we continue to work to form the best squad to face the 2026 tournament," the official statement expressed. The decision came just hours after the right-back was announced as a reinforcement, which immediately sparked a negative reaction on social media and in various sectors linked to the club. He entered the Bahía Blanca prison on July 3, 2020, when the penalty imposed by the Buenos Aires courts became final.
