Former Premier League striker Rafa Mir arrested on suspicion of alleged sexual assault

Former Wolves striker Rafa Mir has been arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse.

The 27-year-old player was arrested last night and failed to show up for training this morning with LaLiga club Valencia, where he is currently on loan from Sevilla.

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Police confirmed that a LaLiga footballer had been arrested, but denied reports in the Spanish media that a second man is currently in custody.

Sources close to the ongoing investigation told Spanish radio station Ser that Mir and another man were arrested for an alleged sexual offence against two women aged around 25 at the footballer’s home.

A police statement said: “We can confirm that a LaLiga footballer has been arrested for alleged sexual assault.

“At this time, no one has been arrested, but that could change later.

“The man who was arrested is currently being held in police cells.”

A source close to the investigation said: “Under Spanish law, police have 72 hours from the moment of his arrest to hold him before releasing him or handing him over to a judge who has the right to question him further before deciding in principle whether to release him on bail or keep him in custody pending an ongoing investigation.

“The arrest took place last night.”

Mir won the European Under-21 Championship with Spain in 2019 and won a silver medal with the Olympic team at the 2020 tournament.

He played for Wolves in the Premier League after signing in January 2018, but made just four appearances for the club and failed to score.

He was loaned to Las Palmas and Nottingham Forest and played in the Champions League for Valencia.

At Forest he again failed to achieve the desired result in 13 appearances for the East Midlands side.

He had more success at Las Palmas, where he scored seven goals in 30 games.

Mir left Wolves in August 2021, when he signed a six-year contract with Sevilla.

He made 105 appearances for the club but struggled to score, netting just 24 times before leaving.

In July, he returned to his boyhood club Valencia on loan. Since his return, he has played four LaLiga games and provided one assist for the goal.