Ex-Premier League striker ‘banned from Valencia training’ – after release on bail following arrest on suspicion of alleged sexual assault
- Rafa Mir was released on bail by a court on Wednesday after his arrest
- The 27-year-old had been in custody for two days before appearing in court
- Valencia will reportedly analyse the striker’s situation in the coming days
Valencia have reportedly suspended former Wolves striker Rafa Mir from training after he was arrested on suspicion of allegedly assaulting a 25-year-old woman.
The 27-year-old, who recently moved to Valencia on loan from Sevilla, was released on bail on Wednesday after appearing in court.
Mir had spent the previous two days in police custody.
His lawyer Jaime Campaner appeared in court on Wednesday morning and said the relationship was “without any doubt” consensual.
The conditions of his bail include surrendering his passport, imposing a restraining order, a ban on contact with the alleged victim and reporting to court weekly.
Valencia have reportedly ruled out striker Rafa Mir from training this week
Mir was released on bail on Wednesday after being arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse
Mir was brought before the court after being arrested after two days in police custody
Valencia are analysing Mir’s situation following his arrest, after recently signing him on loan
Spanish news agency EFE reported that Valencia banned Mir from training on Thursday and Friday.
Valencia coach Ruben Baraja is expected to give his squad the weekend off during the international break, with several of them already called up to their national teams.
The LaLiga club will reportedly use the four days to analyse Mir’s situation.
The Guardia Civil confirmed on Tuesday that a LaLiga footballer had been arrested, but denied reports in Spanish media that a second man is currently in custody.
A Valencia police spokesman said: ‘We can confirm that a LaLiga footballer has been arrested for alleged sexual assault.
‘No one has been arrested at this time, but that could change later.’
He added: “The man who has been arrested is currently in police custody.”
His lawyer Jaime Campaner appeared in court on Wednesday morning and said the relationship was “without a doubt” consensual
Mir was held for two days at the headquarters of the Spanish Guardia Civil (photo)
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, a ‘friend of the footballer’ was arrested a day after Mir for alleged assault, reported by a 21-year-old woman.
Valencia Football Club said in a statement earlier this week: ‘Regarding the press reports about the arrest of Valencia CF player Rafa Mir, the club is aware of the arrest and, in the absence of further details, can only state for the time being that it will fully cooperate with everything the courts demand of it.’
Spanish media reports that the alleged assault took place during a private party at the footballer’s home, where the two were invited after meeting in a nightclub.
Cadena Ser said local police were initially called to the house to deal with reports of a possible scuffle and break up the party, before leaving.
It was not clear today whether the sex crime allegations were made while officers were at the home or after they left.
Mir was on the payroll of Premier League club Wolves for three years, from 2018 to 2021
Mir, full name Rafael Mir Vicente, won the 2019 European Championship with the Spain under-21 football team and a silver medal with the Olympic team at the 2020 tournament.
In January 2018, he signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Wolves and took the number 9 shirt, working alongside former Valencia manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
During his time at Wolves he was loaned to Las Palmas and Nottingham Forest before leaving the club for good in August 2021 when he signed a six-year contract with Sevilla.
In July he returned to his boyhood club Valencia on loan.