Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Monday, June 15, 2026, 5:19 p.m. / Updated Monday, June 15, 2026, 5:19 p.m.
Rafa Mir (28 years old), striker who belongs to Sevilla, was sentenced to 8 and a half years in prison. The Fourth Section of the Pretrial Court of Valencia sentenced the player to 7 for sexual assault, to which an additional year and a half was added for bodily injury. The Spaniard's defense has announced that it will appeal.
In September 2024, the footballer repeatedly assaulted a young woman in his home in Betera. He defended himself, admitting he had sex with two young women, which he said was consensual, and claimed his accuser was jealous after she saw him kiss another woman in front of her.
Rafa Mir, sentenced to 8 and a half years in prison for sexual assault
The Valencia court handed down the sentence, adding 14,000 euros in compensation for physical injuries and 50,000 euros for moral damages. Rafa Mir will also not be able to approach the victim within 500 meters for the next 10 years, according to sportal.bg.
Pablo Jara, a professional Chilean goalkeeper and friend of Rafa Mir, was also convicted in the case. Accused of assaulting another woman on the same evening, the Chilean received a two-year prison sentence, to which is added 6 months for the moral integrity of the second victim.
After the Fourth Section of the Court of Valencia found Rafa Mir guilty, the judicial authorities of Valencia will investigate possible perjury by the Betera police officers who dealt with the victims of the case.
During the May 28 trial, police officers testified that the plaintiffs always claimed they agreed. This statement is in complete contradiction to the testimonies of the young women during the investigation and court hearings.
Raised in Valencia's academy, Rafa Mir also played for Wolverhampton, Las Palmas, Nottingham Forest, Huesca, Elche and Sevilla.
Rafa Mir won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2023 and has 6 caps for Spain's first national team, for which he scored 3 goals.
