Mir was arrested in September 2024 after ‌a woman filed a sexual assault complaint. His lawyer said ‌at ⁠the time that the intercourse was consensual and that ⁠Mir categorically denied the accusations. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Spanish footballer Rafa Mir has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison ​after being found guilty of committing sexual assault and assault causing injury, ‌a court in the eastern Valencia region ruled on ​Monday.

Women’s rights have become a highly sensitive ⁠national topic in Spain, especially in the sports world after scandals including former football chief Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kissing of a national team player ‌or ex-Barcelona star Dani Alves’ rape conviction, which was later overturned.

Mir was arrested in September 2024 after ‌a woman filed a sexual assault complaint. His lawyer said ‌at ⁠the time that the intercourse was consensual and that ⁠Mir categorically denied the accusations.

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According to the ruling, Mir and another football player met two young women at a nightclub in Valencia and later went to ​Mir’s home to continue ‌the party. At the house, Mir sexually assaulted one of the women in the pool and a bathroom, the court said.

The court highlighted the victim’s consistent and credible testimony, supported by ‌witness accounts and forensic reports.

The victim was awarded compensation ​of €64,000 ($74,300). The decision is not final and can be appealed, the court added.

Mir, who currently plays for LaLiga ⁠club Elche, on loan from Sevilla, was under contract at six-time league champions Valencia at the time of the incident in ‌2024.

Sevilla, in a statement, said it respected the jury’s decision, adding there was no place for violence or abuse in society.

“The club, in light of the judgment issued by Section Four of the Provincial Court of Valencia in which footballer Rafa Mir - currently on loan at Elche CF until June 30 - is sentenced ‌to eight and a half years, states its utmost respect for judicial proceedings ​and expresses our firm and unequivocal condemnation of any type of violence, abuse, or sexual assault,” Sevilla ⁠said.

“Such conduct has no place in our society or in the values ⁠promoted by sport.”

The 28-year-old striker has also played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as Spain’s national men’s team in ‌the Tokyo Olympics.

Elche did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Published on Jun 15, 2026