A court in Valencia has handed down a severe punishment to former Valencia CF forward Rafa Mir, sentencing him to eight and a half years behind bars for sexually assaulting two women.
The courtroom drama
The verdict, delivered on Thursday, stems from incidents that took place in 2024 at Mir's residence, where he attacked the victims alongside a fellow teammate identified only as Pablo J. G.
Prosecutors detailed that Mir received seven years for the sexual assault component and an additional 18 months for inflicting physical harm, while Pablo J. G. was sentenced to two and a half years for his role in the same assault.
Both men have maintained their innocence, insisting that the encounters were consensual, a claim that was rejected by the judges who found the evidence of coercion compelling.
The case has reignited discussions about the culture within Spanish football, with Valencia CF confirming that Mir's contract will expire at the end of the month and that the club will review its options in light of the ruling.
Legal experts note that the judgment reflects a broader trend of stricter enforcement of gender‑based violence in Spain, a shift that has been accelerated by high‑profile cases across the sporting world.