The prosecution asked the court to acquit him. Judge Taís de Paula Scheer instead handed down 13 years.
Léo Derik, a left-back who has made 24 appearances for Athletico Paranaense this season, was found guilty of two counts of rape on Tuesday at Curitiba’s 2nd Court of Domestic and Family Violence Against Women. Each count carried a six-and-a-half-year term to be served consecutively in closed regime, the strictest custody level under Brazilian law, with R$20,000 in compensation for moral damages, ESPN Brasil reported.
The charges centred on two incidents against the same former partner in Curitiba, dated 16 December 2023 and 4 February 2024. In both, prosecutors alleged the 21-year-old used physical aggression to force sexual contact, according to Um Dois Esportes.
Judge rejected acquittal request
In an unusual step, the Public Ministry itself had asked Judge Scheer to acquit, arguing that the evidence was insufficient and that the victim’s and defendant’s accounts diverged. She rejected that reasoning.
Her ruling found the victim’s account “firm and coherent” throughout proceedings, while she described the defendant’s version as “contradictory and devoid of logic”, Um Dois Esportes reported.
Léo Derik has denied the accusations throughout and insists the encounters were consensual. His defence called the ruling “not definitive” and said it was surprised the prosecution had recommended acquittal.
Athletico takes no part in the case
The first-instance decision is subject to appeal, and Léo Derik will remain at liberty while it is heard, CNN Brasil reported.
Athletico Paranaense, back in Brazil’s top flight this season after a year in Série B, has offered nothing beyond a short official note. The club said in its statement that because the case runs under judicial secrecy it would not comment on its contents, adding that it “takes no part in the process and will respect its regular progress” until any final judgment.
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The 21-year-old is an academy product who made his senior debut in January 2025 and is under contract at the club until December 2029. He has 39 senior appearances to his name in total, including 24 in the current campaign, and remains part of Odair Hellmann’s first-team squad.
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