Ex-Premier League striker breaks his silence after release on bail following arrest on suspicion of alleged sexual assault
- Rafa Mir has released a statement five days after being released from custody
- The 27-year-old has said 'we will work in the courts' but not on social media
- The Valencia striker was arrested last Monday but was released after two days
Valencia striker Rafa Mir has broken his silence after being released on bail following his arrest on suspicion of an alleged sexual assault.
The 27-year-old was arrested on Monday 2 September and spent two days in police custody before his release.
The conditions of his bail include having to surrender his passport, a restraining order and a ban on contacting the alleged victim. In addition, he must sign in at the courthouse on a weekly basis.
The former Wolves forward has finally spoken out for the first time following the accusations, releasing a statement.
'After a period of reflection, I want to make my innocence clear, reiterating the content of the statement issued by my lawyer Jaime Campaner,' wrote Mir.
Valencia striker Rafa Mir broke his silence after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault
In a statement released by Mir on Instagram he stated he wanted to make his 'innocence clear'
The 27-year-old was released on bail on Wednesday following two days in police custody
'As soon as he was able to get to work on equal terms with the accusations, the case has taken an important turn that shows what unfounded that the complaint is.
'I fully trust the Administration of Justice of this country, with which I have collaborated from the first minute to clarify the facts.'
In the statement, Mir also apologised to Valencia, who he joined on loan from Sevilla this summer.
He added: 'For all this, I want to express my most sincere and deep apologies to my Club, Valencia CF, to the coaching staff, to my teammates and mainly to the Valencia fans, for failing to comply, even on a day off, with the established schedules that are expected of a professional and even more so after a start to the season far from our expectations. From now on, as a professional footballer, all my energies are focused on helping my club and my teammates.
'I don’t want to forget to thank my family for the love and support they have shown me at all times. Your love and the truth will make me overcome this traumatic situation that I am experiencing.
'That being said, following the advice of my lawyer, we will work in the courts and not in the media or on social networks.'
Mir's statement comes four days on from one that his lawyer Campaner, managing partner of the law firm Campaner Law, released on his behalf.
Mir had been kept in custody for two days at the Spanish Civil Guard headquarters (pictured)
Mir's statement comes four days on from one released by his lawyer Jaime Campaner
Campaner wrote: 'Given the incessant and overwhelming number of publications in the media and social networks, as well as calls and attempts to contact media outlets in this country, our professional office is forced to issue this information note:
'1.- Rafa Mir categorically denies the charges against him and, as announced by the press office of the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community, he was released on bail yesterday.
'2.- Rafa Mir's presumption of innocence must be respected, as required by both the Spanish Constitution and European Directive 2016/343.
'3.- The recently opened criminal proceedings will serve to clarify the facts and will show that the charge is not sustained.
'4.- Judicial proceedings are confidential (article 301 of the Criminal Procedure Law), therefore, given the apparent biased and partial leak of elements supposedly extracted from the summary, this defense will not participate in any parallel trial.
'5.- Neither Mr. Mir nor his defense attorney will make statements to the media, limiting themselves to actively participating in the criminal process that is still in its embryonic phase. Sincerely, Jaime Campaner Muñoz.'
Spanish newspaper Marca also reported claims that a 'friend of the footballer' was arrested one day on from Mir for an alleged sexual assault reported by a 21-year-old woman.
Mir resigned for his boyhood club Valencia on loan from fellow LaLiga side Sevilla this summer
The forward spent three years at Wolves but left following a series of loans in 2021
Valencia Football Club said in a statement earlier this week: 'In relation to the press reports regarding the arrest of Valencia CF player Rafa Mir, the club is aware of the arrest and, in the absence of any more details about it, can only state for the time being that it will cooperate fully with whatever the courts may require.'
It has been reported by Spanish media that the alleged sex assault happened during a private party at the footballer's home after they were invited over after meeting at a nightclub.
According to Cadena Ser 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.
It was not immediately clear today if the sex crime claims were made while officers were at the house or after they left.
Mir, full name Rafael Mir Vicente, spent three years at Wolves, featuring just twice in the Championship under Nuno Espirito Santo.
He went on to endure loan spells at both Las Palmas and Nottingham Forest while on the books at the now Premier League side, before leaving on a permanent deal to Sevilla in 2021.
Mir only made two appearances under Nuno Espirito Santo, both coming the Championship
The forward won the 2019 European Championship with the Spain Under 21 football team and a year later took home a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
He joined Valencia, his boyhood club in July, and has made two LaLiga appearances for them so far this season.
