Paraguay: Man gets 8 years for footballer's death during match

A Paraguayan court has sentenced Jesús Gabriel Roa, 22, to 8 years in prison for the 2024 death of 15-year-old footballer Ismael Domínguez. The fatal incident occurred during a youth match in Asunción when Roa, known as “Kapeluki,” kicked Domínguez from behind. The blow caused the teenager to fall unconscious, after which other players reportedly continued to assault him while he lay on the ground.

The sentence falls far short of the 20-year prison term sought by prosecutor Rosa Noguera, who argued for a harsher penalty due to the severity of the attack. Roa, a player for Club Boquerón, is the first of four individuals charged in connection with Domínguez's death to receive a sentence. The other three accused are minors and will face separate trials.

The attack took place on September 14, 2024, at the Boquerón club's field. Domínguez, a player for the visiting team Nacional de San Bernardino, was killed after a general brawl erupted among players at the end of the match. Forensic reports indicated that Domínguez died from head trauma. The court's decision to impose an 8-year sentence has drawn attention, given the prosecution's request for a much longer term.

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The Tribunal de Sentencia, presidido por la jueza Sonia Villalba e integrado por Laura Ocampo y Fabián Weisensee, condenó a 8 años de carcel a Jesús Gabriel Roa González, alias “Kapeluki”, de 22 años, tras hallarlo culpable del crimen de Ismael Domínguez en medio de un torneo deportivo del barrio San Pablo de Asunción.