Footballer Rafa Mir arrested on suspicion of alleged sexual assault

Spanish footballer Rafa Mir has been arrested on suspicion of alleged sexual assault.

The 27-year-old Valencia striker, who is currently on loan from Sevilla, was arrested last night.

The Guardia Civil confirmed that a LaLiga footballer had been arrested, but denied reports in the 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.”

A source close to the investigation said: ‘Under Spanish law, the police have 72 hours from the moment of his arrest to hold him before releasing him or handing him over to a judge, who has the right to question him further before deciding in principle whether to release him on bail or keep him in custody pending the ongoing investigation.

“The arrest took place last night.”

The Guardia Civil has not provided information about the type of sexual abuse that may have taken place or whether the women claim they were raped.

Sources close to the ongoing investigation have told Spanish radio station Ser that Mir and another man have been arrested over alleged sexual harassment. crime against two women of around 25 years old in the footballer’s house.

The pair are currently being held at a police station in Valencia.

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, teaming up with 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.