Ex-Premier League striker ‘banned from Valencia training’ – after release on bail following arrest on suspicion of alleged sexual assault

Valencia have reportedly banned former Wolves striker Rafa Mir from training after he was arrested on suspicion of an alleged sexual assault against a 25-year-old woman. 

The 27-year-old, who recently joined Valencia on loan from Sevilla, was released on bail on Wednesday after appearing in court.

Mir had spent the previous two days in police custody.

His lawyer Jaime Campaner appeared at court on Wednesday morning in which he said that the relationship was ‘without a doubt’ consensual.

The conditions of his bail include having to surrender his passport, a restraining order and ban on contacting the alleged victim, and signing in at the courthouse on a weekly basis.

Mir was released on bail on Wednesday after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

Mir was summoned to court following two days in police custody after he was arrested 

Valencia are analysing Mir’s situation after his arrest having recently signed him on loan

Spanish news agency EFE reported that Valencia have banned Mir from attending training on Thursday and Friday.

Valencia coach Ruben Baraja is then expected to give his squad the weekend off during the international break, with several having been called up to their national teams.

The LaLiga side will reportedly use the four days to analyse Mir’s situation.

On Tuesday, the Civil Guard confirmed that a LaLiga footballer had been arrested but denied Spanish media reports that a second man was also in custody at present. 

A spokesman for the force in Valencia said: ‘We can confirm a LaLiga footballer has been arrested over an alleged sexual assault.

‘No one else has been arrested at the moment but that may change later.’

He added: ‘The man who has been detained is currently in police custody.’

His lawyer Jaime Campaner appeared at court on Wednesday morning in which he said that the relationship was ‘without a doubt’ consensual

Mir had been kept in custody for two days at the Spanish Civil Guard headquarters (pictured)

Spanish newspaper Marca reported claims that a ‘friend of the footballer’ was arrested a day after Mir for an alleged sexual assault reported by a 21-year-old woman. 

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.’

Spanish media have reported the alleged sex assault happened during a private party at the footballer’s home after they were invited over after meeting at a nightclub.

Cadena Ser said 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 was on the books at Premier League side Wolves for three years from 2018 to 2021

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.

He joined Wolves on a four-and-a-half year contract in January 2018 and took the number 9 shirt, linking up with former Valencia boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

He had loan spells at Las Palmas and Nottingham Forest while with Wolves, and left the club for good in August 2021 when he signed a six-year contract with Sevilla.

He returned to boyhood club Valencia on loan in July.