Super Eagles stars’ teammate pleads innocence following rap* allegations

Spanish striker Rafa Mir has formally pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault, as prosecutors confirm they are seeking a prison sentence of 10 years and six months.

Mir, who has shared dressing rooms with Super Eagles stars including Umar Sadiq at Valencia, is currently on loan at Elche CF from Sevilla.

The 28-year-old star has maintained his innocence throughout the preliminary proceedings and is now pushing for a fully transparent, open-door judicial process.

According to documents obtained by Las Provincias and reported by ABC, the prosecution’s demands extend beyond incarceration.

A conviction would likely signal the end of Mir’s professional career, as the state is also seeking a 13-year restraining order prohibiting him from approaching the complainant within 500 meters, alongside seven years of supervised release.

Additionally, the prosecution has requested €64,000 in compensation for moral and physical damages.

The case originates from an incident in September 2024, during Mir’s tenure at Valencia CF.

Rafa Mir was accused of aggravated sexual assault involving non-consensual penetration and physical violence during an incident at his home in September 2024. Prosecutors allege Mir penetrated the victim twice without her consent, specifically by his swimming pool and in a bathroom.

However, Mir’s defense team, led by attorney Jaime Campaner, maintains that all interactions were entirely consensual.

The defense argues that the sexual assault claims only surfaced after the fact, pointing to an initial police report from the night in question that reportedly only cited a disagreement between the women and a physical altercation involving one of Mir’s associates.

In a move to challenge the typical privacy protocols of such sensitive cases, Mir’s lawyers have filed a submission pushing for an "open-door" trial.

Per the aformentioned publication, they argue that nothing justifies the proceedings being held in secrecy and have submitted new evidence, including two previously unseen videos, which they believe will exonerate the player.

Mir has reportedly told his legal team he is eager for the judicial process to conclude so his version of events can be validated by the court.

 While awaiting trial, Mir has been released on bail but remains under a 500-metre restraining order from the victim and has had his passport confiscated.