Jefferson Farfán, the former Peru international forward known as "la Foquita," could face up to eight years in prison after a family court referred his case file to prosecutors over his alleged failure to comply with court-ordered psychological therapy, according to television host Magaly Medina.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Darinka Ramírez. Peru's 15th Family Court, which specializes in violence against women, had ordered Farfán to attend psychological therapy and to submit documentation to the court proving he had done so.
Medina said the paperwork Farfán submitted was considered insufficient by the judicial authority, a development that has complicated his legal situation.
Case Sent to Prosecutors
Lawyer Ysrael Castillo explained that the Family Court carried out the formal warning, known as an apercibimiento, after Farfán failed to meet the court's requirement. As a result, copies of the case file were sent to Peru's Public Prosecutor's Office so it can evaluate a possible charge of disobedience and resistance to authority.
Castillo said that offense carries a potential sentence of up to eight years in prison. He stressed, however, that the referral to the Public Prosecutor's Office does not mean the former Peru national team player has been convicted, nor that his imprisonment has been decided. Any criminal outcome will depend on further proceedings in this new stage of the case.
From Family Court to Criminal Case
The move marks a significant shift in the case, since the file leaves the strictly family-law process and moves into the hands of the Public Prosecutor's Office. The underlying dispute remains tied to Ramírez's complaint and the measures ordered by the 15th Family Court.
Magaly Medina's Revelation
Medina, a well-known Peruvian journalist whose program "Magaly TV, la firme" airs on the ATV network and is known for its celebrity investigations, first raised the issue days earlier, saying the former player had not adequately proven he had completed the psychological therapy sessions.
During the broadcast, Medina displayed the document attributed to the 15th Family Court and explained that the court's ruling had set out measures Farfán was required to fulfill, including attending psychological therapy and later presenting documentation to the authority to demonstrate compliance.
Medina also questioned the silence of Farfán's usual defenders and suggested the noncompliance could be linked to carelessness, legal negligence, or an overly confident attitude toward judicial orders.
She said that Farfán, who spends time worrying about whether others comply with what the justice system has ordered, seemed more concerned with whether she herself had completed her community service. She then asked directly whether he had attended his therapy sessions or not.
Who Is Jefferson Farfán
Farfán is a former Peru international who built his career at clubs including PSV Eindhoven and Schalke 04 in Germany before returning to play in Peru. He remains a prominent public figure in the country and has recently been linked to a new television program alongside other personalities.
The case is now with the Public Prosecutor's Office, which will determine whether to formally pursue the complaint of disobedience and resistance to authority.
