TORONTO – Arrest warrants have been issued for two Brazilian soccer players after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted during the Toronto Pan Am Games.
Police alleged both athletes met the 20-year-old victim and her friend at a nightclub in the downtown area on Saturday, July 25.
After befriending the accused, police said the woman accompanied the soccer players to a residence where she was sexually assaulted.
“The victim awoke and both the accused then left the residence,” said Sex Crimes Insp. Joanna Beaven-Desjardins during a press conference Thursday morning.
The two members of the Brazilian soccer team, which captured a bronze medal at the Games, have been identified as 22-year-old Andrey Da Silva Ventura and 21-year-old Lucas Domingues Piazon.
Police said both left Toronto on July 27 with the rest of the soccer team following the Games. Ventura is currently in Brazil and playing for the Botafogo e Regatas Football Club.
Police said Piazon is believed to be in the United Kingdom playing for the Reading Football Club on loan from Chelsea F.C..
Ventura is currently wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for one count of sexual assault and Piazon is wanted on an Ontario warrant.
“It’s up to the crown attorney to decide on warrants,” explained Insp. Beaven-Desjardins on the discrepancies between the two warrants.
VIDEO: Toronto Police explain the cause, nature of arrest warrants issued to Pan Am games athletes
Police said they don’t have a treaty with Brazil to bring Ventura back to Canada so they’ll have to go through an extradition process.
“We’ll be working with all law enforcement officials across the world so that when he does travel, especially being part of an international team, we’ll be notified of his movements,” said Beaven-Desjardins.
“You can say it’s frustrating. It would be good for the victim and the process and themselves to cooperate with Toronto police and come and face their charges.”
In July, a warrant was issued for a 27-year-old member of the men’s Brazilian water polo team in connection with an alleged sexual assault.
It is alleged the player, identified as Thye Mattos Ventura Bezerra, assaulted a 22-year-old woman at her residence in Toronto on July 16.
An Ontario-wide warrant was also issued for his arrest and the suspect is still outstanding.
“That’s still before the crown’s office. He’s still wanted for sexual assault,” said Beaven-Desjardins.
The Brazilian men’s polo team, composed of 13 players, won a silver medal at the Games.
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