FORMER Wolves striker Rafa Mir has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
The 27-year-old was held last night and failed to show up for training this morning with LaLiga side Valencia, where he is currently on loan from Sevilla.
Police confirmed a LaLiga footballer had been arrested, but denied Spanish media reports a second man was also in custody at present.
Sources close to the ongoing investigation told Spanish radio station Ser that Mir and another man were arrested over an alleged sex crime against two women aged 21 and 25 during a party at the footballer’s home.
It is claimed local police had initially been called to the house to deal with reports of a possible altercation and put an end to the bash before leaving.
A police statement read: “We can confirm a LaLiga footballer has been arrested over an alleged sexual assault.
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“No-one else has been arrested at the moment but that may change later.
“The man who has been detained is currently in police custody.”
A source close to the inquiry said: “Under Spanish law police have 72 hours from the time of arrest to hold him in custody before releasing him or handing him over a judge who has the right to question him further before deciding in principle whether to free him on bail or remand him in custody pending an ongoing investigation.
“The arrest took place yesterday evening.”
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His club Valencia released a statement on the matter while sources at the club have been quoted as saying they are going to see how the ongoing investigation against Mir develops before taking a decision about his future.
It read: “In relation to the press reports that have appeared regarding the arrest of Valencia CF player Rafa Mir, the vlub is aware of said arrest and, in the absence of details about it, for the moment it can only state that it will cooperate in everything that justice may require.”
Mir won the Under-21 2019 European Championship with Spain and a silver medal with the Olympic team at the 2020 tournament.
He played for Wolves in the Premier League after signing in January 2018 and but only made four appearances for the club and failed to score.
He had loan spells at Las Palmas and Nottingham Forest and has featured in the Champions League for Valencia.
At Forest, he was again unable to find the target in 13 appearances for the East Midlands outfit.
He had more success at Las Palmas, as he scored seven goals in 30 outings.
Mir left Wolves in August 2021 when he signed a six-year contract with Sevilla.
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He went on to make 105 appearances for the club but struggled for goals as he hit the net just 24 times before leaving.
He returned to boyhood club Valencia on loan in July and since making his return he had featured in four LaLiga games, assisting one goal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
