Former Sereias da Vila player convicted of defamation against Kleiton Lima in Santos | OneFootball

A Santos court has convicted Spanish former Sereias da Vila player Luciana Ortega of defamation against ex-coach Kleiton Lima, imposing community service, legal fees and R$ 20,000 in damages. According to Diario Do Peixe, the ruling is a first-instance decision.

Judge Denise Gomes Bezerra Mota published the sentence on Thursday 13 at the fourth Criminal Court in Santos. She found that, regardless of who wrote an anonymous letter, Ortega told club officials she experienced the episode described, and that her account harmed Lima's honour and career.

Lima left the role in September 2023 after the board received 19 letters from players alleging moral harassment, constraints and supposed improper touching. He denied the claims and later sought to hold people he considered responsible to account.

The case centres on a street market near Vila Belmiro, where a letter alleged Lima approached Ortega as she ate a pastel and commented on her body. She denied writing the letter but told directors she had lived the episode, saying she interpreted his look at her buttocks as harassment.

Investigators heard players Ketlen and Kelly, general sports coordinator Alexandre Gallo and former women's coordinator Aline Xavi. Testimony for Lima's defence said no sexual harassment occurred at the market, with Gallo calling any remark fitness-related and Xavi also denying harassment. A handwriting analysis comparing Ortega's script with the letter was inconclusive.

An earlier case was shelved, but Lima's side pushed for a police inquiry and filed a new action in 2024. He was briefly re-announced by Santos in 2024, then left soon after amid fallout from the allegations.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

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