Bogotá, Colombia. — The Colombian club Atlético Nacional announced this Monday that the player Nicolás Rodríguez Calderón was removed from all activities of the professional team, after a complaint was filed against him for alleged rape of a 19-year-old girl.
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According to the complaint, disclosed by the sports portal Somos La Titular, the young woman claims to have been the victim of sexual assault or sexual act while she was in a state of incapacity to resist, after a social gathering that took place in Bogotá.
According to the testimony, the complainant would have lost the ability to react after drinking alcoholic beverages and was subsequently taken to an apartment, where the events allegedly occurred with the participation of more than one person.
Club Statement
In an official statement, Atlético Nacional expressed its solidarity with the person who filed the complaint and categorically rejected any conduct that undermines human dignity and integrity.
The club reported that it activated its internal protocols with responsibility and transparency, and that, while investigations are ongoing, the player will not be called up for the team's upcoming commitments.
Furthermore, the institution stated that it will respect due process, the presumption of innocence, and impartiality in the handling of the case.
Ongoing Research
The case is known amidst a context of multiple reports of alleged gender-based violence in Colombia. In this regard, the Attorney General's Office announced the opening of an investigative initiative and enabled special channels for receiving complaints, with the aim of coordinating investigations with a gender perspective.
This case has reignited the debate in various sectors about the importance of strengthening mechanisms for the prevention, investigation, and sanction of gender-based violence, especially in areas such as professional sports.
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