Coach Alexi Stival, the Cuca, declared that he was innocent in the case that he was convicted of rape in Switzerland in 1989. The conviction was annulled in 2024. In interview for the official website of AthleticoOn Monday (day 4), the coach again stated that he is innocent.
"I put it in my head that I had to solve this situation. In my head, it was over. As a man, I should have done this before," he said, saying that he made this decision in 2023, after leaving the Corinthians. He claimed he wanted a new trial to prove his innocence. "Conversing with lawyers, the chance of acquittal was almost 100%. It just wasn't 100% because it doesn't exist 100%," he commented. "I've always told the truth. You have to say the lady recognized it. Three times he didn't recognize it and it's on the record. Inconclusive DNA and it's not mine. They themselves understood that it was inconclusive," he completed. "But the case had already been prescribed and there was no new trial, unfortunately. Unfortunately for the prescription he couldn't and what best happened was the annulment. In a way, we are very relieved," he said.
About Athletico, Cuca stated that he was following the games and that he already has plans for the team for Sunday, against the Londrina, in the Arena da Baixada. "We follow everything that's championship. I watch two or three games a day. So is my team. We already have a hard mission on Sunday," he said.
Cuca also commented on being an Athletic fan. "To me it is an honor and a great satisfaction. I've been to the stadium many times. I've vibrated and wept for Athletico. I'm just gonna keep this up, be cool and cool. I'm starting a job and I hope the end will take long enough to happen," he said.
Regarding the cast, the coach explained. "Little by little, you will know the style and the way. We have something very strong that is Baixada, the crowd. When you come to play against it, it's very difficult and complicated. Now we have to take advantage. We have a wonderful crowd and it is to make her be with us always," he said. "I know you well. Day to day will give a better condition to understand better, even by the way we work and like multipurpose players. In the day to day you will know the polyvalence of one or another player who can help a lot during the games, change the style of the team without making substitutions", he completed.
