This is becoming an ugly trend. Argentinian soccer star, Diego Maradona, is the latest athlete being accused of committing domestic violence, thanks to a cell phone video which has been released publicly.
The leaked video allegedly shows the 53-year-old World Cup champion striking his then-fiancee, 24-year-old Rocío Oliva, apparently for being on her phone. Spanish-language newspaper El Mundo translated the video for English viewers.
An irate Maradona is seen getting up from his couch and yelling, “Keep looking! Keep looking at your phone!” Oliva replies, “Stop, loco, why can’t I look at my phone?”
He then approaches her, and seems to strike her repeatedly, as she pleads, “Stop! Stop! Stop hitting, Diego!”
Related: It’s Time For A Productive Discussion About Domestic Violence
Since the video leaked, Maradona has denied that he hit his fiancee. “Yes, I threw the phone but I swear to God that I have never raised my hand against a women,” he told Argentine journalist Marina Calabró, via the New York Daily News. “The episode started and ended like that. I admit to throwing the phone, but nothing else.”
After being engaged, the couple split back in June. At that point, Oliva publicly claimed she had been abused by Maradona and had the evidence to prove it, but that was tabled when they briefly got back together. Now that the relationship is over, it seems Oliva decided to release the video.
Maradona was once captured on camera slapping a reporter in Buenos Aires who he claimed winked at his former girlfriend Veronica Ojeda.
He became infamous after scoring the controversial winning goal for Argentina against England in the 1986 World Cup.
For more information and vital facts about gender-based violence, including dating violence, head over to Look Different.
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