Spanish soccer star, Santi Mina has been sentenced to 4 years in jail after being discovered guilty of sexual abuse.
The 26-year-old Celta Vigo forward, who has scored 84 goals in over 300 appearances within the LaLiga, must serve time if his appeal is unsuccessful.
Through the verdict on Wednesday May 4, Mina was cleared of the sexual aggression charge he was additionally facing, which is related to intimidation or violence against the victim.
Celta said they’ve removed the player from their squad till the appeal process is over.
Additionally they opened disciplinary proceedings to find out the options the club can take.
Mina went on trial on March 28 at Almeria’s Provincial Court together with friend David Goldar, who performs for second division Spanish aspect Union Deportiva Ibiza.
The footballer was accused of sexually assaulting a lady in a caravan outside a nightclub in the vacation resort of Mojacar close to Almeria in June 2017.
The state prosecutor was asking for eight years of jail for Mina, whereas the victim’s legal professionals have been seeking 9 and a half years.
Goldar was discovered not guilty after being accused of being an accomplice, with the girl’s lawyer asking for 4 and a half in years in jail for him.
Mina and Goldar mentioned the lady consented to their sexual relations.
The lady accused Mina of raping her in a camper van in 2017, where she had gone with Goldar.
Her lawyer mentioned Goldar did nothing to stop Mina from raping her.
At the time, Mina was playing for Valencia. He returned to his boyhood club in Vigo in 2019.
The ruling by the lower court may be appealed to Spain’s Supreme Court docket.
Celta have now issued an announcement, saying: ‘Because of the ruling of the Third Section of the Provincial Court docket of Almeria, issued today, RC Celta has determined to open a disciplinary file on the player Santiago Mina to elucidate his work tasks in view of this decision.
‘For that reason and as a precaution, it has been determined to briefly remove the player from first group training, with out prejudice to his continuing to hold out the actions indicated by the membership for this purpose.
‘RC Celta respects the player’s right to defence, however is obliged to take measures against these occasions that notoriously undermine the image of the club and instantly attack its values, showing once again its absolute rejection of the offence outlined within the judicial decision.’
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