The departure of Luca Scarlato from River Plate has once again brought the debate over the use of parental rights to the forefront, allowing foreign clubs and agents to sign Argentine youngsters for free. At the center of the controversy is Gabriel Rodríguez, the club's general coordinator of youth football, who strongly refuted the player's family's statements and pointed directly at his agent, Martín Guastadisegno. In an interview with DSports Radio, as reported by Agencia Noticias Argentinas, Rodríguez dismissed the accusations made by the footballer's mother on social media, where she had alleged mistreatment of the youth player and the possibility that he had played while injured. 'What Scarlato's mother said is an infamy,' stated Rodríguez. 'These types of tremendously unpleasant situations appear that have no valid explanation.' He also emphasized the personal and formative bond the club had with the player: 'In my case personally, it has been a huge blow. We have had the boys since they were 6 years old. He is a very affectionate boy, we always respected him.' Rodríguez explained that River had initiated negotiations to secure the youth player's continuity several months in advance: 'The club had been talking since March-April. This was very fast, it was a surprise.' The player, who was captain of the national youth team, was expected to be a reserve player. 'The boy was subject to what his mother and agent arranged,' he concluded. 'We treated him well, he was the captain, we never had to make any decisions about him.' He also denied that the boy had played injured: 'Luca never played injured. He has a great career ahead of him.'
