ARGENTINE star Nahuel Zarate has been jailed for five years after killing two men in a car smash.
The Buenos Aires-born left-back began his career with hometown giants Boca Juniors.
Zarate, 28, is currently with third-tier club CA Guemes.
He played in their 2-0 weekend home loss to Independiente Rivadavia.
But a court in Buenos Aires has now found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter following a collision in 2018.
The judge sentenced the player to be locked up until 2026. Zarate plans to appeal.
He has also been handed a ten-year ban from driving.
Monday’s trial heard the footballer was over the drink-drive limit, using his mobile phone and doing 118mph when he ploughed into the back of a taxi.
Norberto Rodolfo Brienza, 55, and 54-year-old Nestor Francisco Mormandi were killed instantly.
Horrific camera footage shows Zarate’s car smashing into the cab at high speed, sending it hurtling into a roadside crash barrier.
Meanwhile photographs show the taxi’s mangled rear end.
Lawyers acting for the two victims had called for the footballer to jailed for 13 years.
Argentinian media reported Zarate had previous form for drink-driving.
He is said to have struck a road worker in Buenos Aires in 2017 while speeding and under the influence.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
