The coach of Benfica de Portugal,
Roger Schmidt, described this Thursday the threats suffered by Ángel Di María
and his family in Rosario as a "catastrophe", and considered that they "show how crazy the world is."
"What has happened to him and his family shows how crazy the world is. It is a disaster, a catastrophe, when something like this happens, it affects the player and any human being," commented the coach in a press conference prior to the match that his team will face this Friday against Chaves on matchday 27 of the local League that has them second in the standings, just one point behind Sporting Lisbon.
The German assured that
he spoke with
Fideo
about the issue and that everyone at the club tries to "support him as best as possible
. "
And he highlighted about the former Central: "he is professional and experienced enough to also face this type of situation, but it is difficult and unusual."
"He is trying to lead a normal life, but, of course, when something like this happens,
there are thoughts that stay in your head
, but we will try to support him," he added about the Argentine National Team footballer who scored a goal and was captain last year. Tuesday in the victory against Costa Rica.
The ownership of Angelito and Nicolás Otamendi - who was also part of the Scaloneta tour - in Benfica's next match is not assured, although Schmidt has "no doubt" that they arrived safely and will be "ready."
"They have shown in the last 15 years that they can play with the national teams and return to the club and play," he highlighted. However, he warned:
"Sometimes they need a break."
According to the coach, both Argentine players "are key and are performing at a high level this season."
Roger Schmidt, coach of Benfica. Photo: Reuters
The threats to Di María in Rosario
Di María had received a threat at his family home last Monday morning.
“Not even Pullaro is going to save you,”
said the message that appeared on the door of the Funes Hills country house, in reference to the governor of Santa Fe. It was received around 2:30 in the Funes area, near the city of Rosario. And according to a statement from the neighborhood itself, the security chief also claimed to have heard four gunshots.
"Lately I was seeing what happened in Rosario, that influences you a lot in the family. I have my parents and my sisters there, what was happening affects me, it
shocks me a lot," declared
Fideo
during an interview
with a sports channel. The threat came in the months when there was talk of a possible return to Rosario to play with the Central jersey starting in the middle of the year.
This Wednesday,
the police arrested Pablo Ezequiel Acotto (35)
, identified as the main person responsible for the threats. He was compromised by a series of conversations he had with a woman identified as "Tamara", where he confessed to being responsible for the threats and gunshots.
Pablo Acotto, the suspect of the threats to Di María.
"Pablo Acotto, who was being investigated for drug trafficking, confessed in wiretaps to being the author. Sara Belén Gutiérrez and Gabriel Ismael Pastore, accomplices, were arrested by the PFA and the Santa Fe Police through PDI, when they were thinking of escaping from their home. address," announced Patricia Bullrich, Minister of Security. Pullaro himself expressed himself in the same sense.
In the house,
a 22 caliber Bersa pistol was found
with three ammunition of the same caliber, a pen drive, two other cell phones, 13.5 grams of cocaine, a watch and a car key. In addition, a Duster truck was seized and the couple Gabriel Ismael Pastore (27) and Sara Belén Gutiérrez (23), both residing in Rosario, were detained.
Earlier, authorities had found the gray Renault Megane from which the threat was made. The car was abandoned and was found by the Santa Fe Police around 3 in the morning, on 1818 and Espinosa Street, about 15 kilometers from the country where they had left the message.