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Former Rangers star Claudio Caniggia has appeared in court after his ex-wife claimed he sexually abused and threatened to kill her.
The 55-year-old was married to Mariana Nannis for 31 years and had three children with her before splitting up in 2019.
Caniggia, who played for the Gers between 2001 and 2003, met model Sofia Bonelli the same year his marriage ended.
The lovebirds got hitched in that November in Mexico.
The star striker appeared in court in Argentina via Zoom on Tuesday, according to La Nacion.
The allegations of sexual abuse made by Nannis related to a night in a hotel in May 2018.
According to La Nacion, court heard on the early hours of May 5, 2018, Caniggia ‘tried to have sexual relations with his then wife, Mariana Belén Nannis Silles, but, before she refusedl, he threatened to kill her in the midst of insults’.
Court heard he then ‘punched her in the face but did not his her face she covered herself with her hands, finally hitting the victim’s arms and hands.”
Finally, ‘sexual abuse would have taken place against her will’.
Prosecutor Carlos Velarde said: “Caniggia intended to have sexual relations with his then wife, Mariana Nannis but when she refused he threatened to kill her and swore at her.
“He aimed punches at her face, which missed, and finally struck her arms and hands.
‘”Sexual abuse then took place against her will, witnesses support the victim’s version of events.”
La Nacion reported that Argentinian Canaggia denied the allegations and said everything she said had been fabricated.
He also said he plans on suing his ex for the ‘false accusations’.
Caniggia played 50 times for the Argentina national team and appeared in three World Cups.
During his spell at the Ibrox side he was hailed for scoring against Dunfermline in 2003 to help Rangers win the title.
In total he scored 13 goals in half a century of games at Ibrox.
Before that, he played for Dundee FC as part of the Dens park side between 2000 and 2001.
The trial continues.
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