Club Sport Cartaginés head coach Amarini Villatoro faces a sudden roster adjustment ahead of this Sunday’s home fixture after lateral Carlos Barahona was detained by the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) on Wednesday over alleged extortion payments. The match is scheduled for 11 a.m. local time at the Estadio Fello Meza.

Villatoro Evaluates Roster Options After Barahona Detention

Speaking about how his squad will line up without Barahona, Villatoro pointed to several players who have stepped up their training form during the week. The manager specifically identified Yael López, Diego González, and Johan Cortés—who operated at left-back during the previous fixture—as viable choices to fill the vacancy on the flank. “There are several teammates who are also in a good moment, we have already recovered Yael, Diego González, Johan who was in the previous match as left back, we have options,” Villatoro told reporters.

🇨🇷 Carlos Barahona, jugador del Cartaginés y seleccionado nacional, quedó en libertad con otras medidas cautelares mientras continúa la investigación en su contra por un caso de extorsión, así lo determinó esta tarde la justicia costarricense. Amarini Villatoro lo puede tener… pic.twitter.com/5IA97omMie

— https://x.com/ESPN_CENAM/status/2111223267964965193

Villatoro emphasized the team’s ongoing preparation despite the sudden roster disruption. The coach stressed that squad depth and training consistency are designed to handle unexpected absences, comparing the situation to managing a player suspension or an injury.

Legal Due Process and Presumption of Innocence

Addressing the broader circumstances surrounding the OIJ’s actions against Barahona, Villatoro adopted a stance centered on legal protections and institutional respect. “We are respectful of the process, each country’s situation is different, but what is universal is the right to the presumption of innocence,” Villatoro stated. The manager added that the club will respect the due process while hoping for a positive outcome for Carlos.

The technical staff’s primary message regarding the judicial proceedings centers on maintaining a measured approach while the legal system reviews the allegations.

Locker Room Stability and Standings Context

When asked about the emotional state of the squad following Wednesday’s developments, Villatoro described the dressing room as calm and mature. He noted that professional football frequently presents negative obstacles during both matches and weekly preparations, and that the playing group remains focused on collective goals.

Entering Sunday’s match, Cartaginés sits second in the tournament table with 21 points. Their upcoming opponents, the league leaders known as the “morados,” hold 24 points alongside a superior goal differential of plus-15 compared to Cartaginés’s plus-8.

Match Details and Upcoming Schedule

Cartaginés hosts the fixture at Estadio Fello Meza this Sunday at 11 a.m. local time, carrying unbroken institutional objectives as the club navigates the absence of Barahona and maintains its position near the top of the standings.