In a move that has left fans and club officials reeling, Argentine club Independiente has suspended central defender Marco Pellegrino and teammate Diego Tarzia from the team’s upcoming match against Godoy Cruz. The draconian measure is a result of their alleged involvement in a series of indiscreet parties, which have left a stain on the reputation of the club.
The trouble began when a viral video surfaced, showing the two players in the company of Flor Regidor, a former contestant on reality TV show Big Brother, at a lavish birthday bash on a yacht. The video, which has since been viewed millions of times, appears to show the trio having the time of their lives, but the consequences of their actions are far from lurid celebrations.
The incident has put a major dent in the team’s preparations for the highly anticipated match against Godoy Cruz, and the repercussions are being felt throughout the club. A source close to the situation revealed that the suspension was not taken lightly, and that the club is left to wonder how two of its most valuable players could have been so reckless with their actions.
“It’s a huge blow to the team, but we can’t condone this sort of behavior,” the source said. “These players are representing the club, and we expect a certain level of maturity and responsibility. Unfortunately, that wasn’t demonstrated in this instance.”
The development is a major setback for Pellegrino, who is on loan from Italian giants AC Milan. The 2002-born defender has been a mainstay of the Independiente defense, but his actions off the field are likely to raise questions about his future at the club. The suspension is a tough punishment, one that is sure to make him and his teammate think long and hard about the consequences of their actions.
In the meantime, the team will have to regroup and refocus, without two of its key players. The match against Godoy Cruz is a vital one, and the loss of Pellegrino and Tarzia will be felt. The incident is a stark reminder that, no matter how good a player is on the pitch, they are still responsible for their actions off it.
