Battered with accusations of sexual harassment and the fallout of his marriage, Paraguayan footballer Juan Manuel Iturbe has found himself at the center of controversy after incidents at the Mokai nightclub in San Bernardino.
The trouble heated up Saturday night, as multiple sources report, when Iturbe allegedly harassed Ivonne Battaglia, who later shared her experience through video evidence on social media. The footage shows Battaglia confronting Iturbe, accusing him of inappropriate contact, leading to his ejection from the club due to his reportedly intoxicated state.
"Sos un maricón, sos un maricón. ¿Qué puta te pasa para hacerme eso?" ("You’re such a faggot, what the hell is wrong with you?") Battaglia was heard shouting at Iturbe as he attempted to stay hidden behind friends, clearly flustered as the encounter attracted attention.
What adds to the severity of the situation is the recent announcement of Iturbe's separation from his wife, acclaimed beauty queen and Miss Universe Paraguay 2013, Guadalupe González. Just over one month ago, González revealed on her Instagram account, "Juan y yo decidimos tomar caminos separados desde hace un mes y medio…" ("Juan and I decided to go our separate ways about a month and a half ago.") She went on to implore her followers, "Y pido por favor que no me involucren más con nada, ni con lo que pasó anoche. Si no hablé antes, fue por los niños" ("And I ask please, do not involve me anymore with anything, not even what happened last night. If I didn’t speak before, it was for the kids.").
The story doesn’t stop with González’s revelations. After the incident, Battaglia felt compelled to reach out to González, sharing the painful details of her encounter with Iturbe. Focused on accountability, she messaged González, saying, "Necesito que seas consciente de las cosas que hace tu pareja" ("I need you to be aware of the things your partner does").
Echoing Anger and Pain, González’s response involved showing empathy for Battaglia's experience, affirming her own separation from Iturbe, and expressing her sadness over the inappropriate behavior she presumably had no knowledge of. "Me da mucha pena por lo que te hizo" ("It saddens me for what he did to you"), she stated, emphasizing her desire not to be associated with the messy fallout.
Even before this public fallout, González mentioned feeling strained by her relationship with the footballer. She had previously hinted at issues during media appearances. "Todo puede pasar, en serio ojito. No se mandó ninguna cagada todavía" ("Anything can happen, seriously, heads up. He hasn’t messed up yet, but it’s on the border"), she noted during interviews, indicating her concern about the future of their relationship.
Iturbe, on the other hand, remains quiet on the allegations and the consequences they could bear on his football career with Cerro Porteño, where he is currently under scrutiny. His previous achievements playing for clubs around the globe, including stints in England and Mexico, don't seem to outweigh the gravity of present accusations of allegedly touching Battaglia without consent. Following the incident, he was removed from the premises to keep the situation under control.
The gravity of the situation has escalated to legal avenues as Battaglia has vowed to take actions against Iturbe. "No voy a permitir su falta de respeto. Esto no puede quedar impune" ("I will not allow his disrespect. This cannot go unpunished"), she declared, vowing to pursue necessary legal actions against the footballer to address what she terms as unacceptable behavior.
This case sheds light on larger issues surrounding accountability and the treatment women should expect from male figures, especially celebrities. González’s open dialogue about her experiences highlights the importance of addressing misconduct and standing firm against harassment, not only for personal peace but also for the integrity of their families. Iturbe’s actions leave many questioning if his public persona can withstand the storm of these accusations.
With the investigation underway, the public awaits responses from Iturbe and his representatives, as accountability and justice hang heavily on the table. The situation remains dynamic, presenting challenges not only to those directly involved but to societal perceptions of harassment and celebrity conduct.
