La Liga Footballer Sentenced to 8.5 Years in Prison

Sevilla striker Rafa Mir has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. The Fourth Section of the Provincial Court of Valencia handed the player a seven-year sentence for sexual assault and an additional eighteen months for bodily harm. His defense team has announced an appeal.

In September 2024, the footballer repeatedly assaulted a young woman at his home in Betera. Mir defended himself by admitting to consensual sexual relations with two young women, claiming his accuser became jealous after seeing him kiss another woman in front of her.

The Valencia court's ruling also includes €14,000 in compensation for injuries sustained and €50,000 for moral damages. Furthermore, Rafa Mir is prohibited from approaching the victim within 500 meters for the next ten years.

Pablo Jara, a professional Chilean goalkeeper and friend of Rafa Mir, was also convicted in the case. Accused of assaulting another woman during the same evening, the Chilean received a two-year prison sentence, with an additional six months for violating the moral integrity of this second victim.

Following the Fourth Section of the Valencia court's conviction of Rafa Mir, judicial authorities in Valencia will investigate potential perjury by Betera police officers who handled the victims in the case. During the trial on May 28, the officers testified that the complainants had always stated their consent. This statement directly contradicts the young women's testimonies during the investigation and court proceedings.