Hurricane Faces $750 Million Sanction After 2016 Venezuela Bus Incident

Club Atlético Huracán is facing a serious financial issue after an Argentine court ordered a $750 million embargo related to the 2016 bus accident in Venezuela. As reported by Doble Amarilla, the court holds the club accountable as the employer of Patricio Toranzo and Diego Mendoza, who both suffered significant injuries in the crash that impacted their careers.

Documents from the court detail the freezing of Huracán’s bank accounts, fixed-term deposits, loans, and investments with institutions like Banco Credicoop and Mercado Libre S.R.L. The seized funds will move to a judicial account at Banco Nación. Additionally, money received by the club from the Argentine Football Association, such as broadcasting rights and prize money, will also be subject to confiscation.

This total includes damages and legal fees. Judges determined that Huracán did not ensure safe transportation for its players during the trip in Caracas, which is a responsibility of the employer. The long-standing lawsuit brought by Toranzo and Mendoza has resulted in this hefty penalty.

The accident had lasting effects. Toranzo has spoken out about how it changed his life, saying, “It was a turning point for me. I was born with 20 fingers, now I have 16,” in a 2024 interview. He also recalled the frightening moments on the bus: “Four minutes going over 160 kilometers per hour without control. I saw everything, the bus was not in condition.”

For Huracán, which is already in a vulnerable financial position, the embargo could disrupt its operations. Unless a settlement is reached, a large part of its revenue will be automatically withheld, threatening both its financial health and its sports goals.