Soccer striker Rafa Mir sentenced to jail for sexual assault

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 soccer 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.

According to the ruling, Mir and another soccer 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.

-Reuters