Valencia bans Mir for two games after assault allegations

Valencia coach Ruben Baraja said on Friday that striker Rafa Mir will miss two matches after being accused of sexual assault last week.

The 27-year-old was arrested on September 2 after two women filed a complaint accusing Mir and another man of sexual abuse. A judge then ordered Mir’s conditional release pending an investigation to determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial.

Valencia said on Monday that it had initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mir “with respect for the legal presumption of innocence,” and Baraja told reporters of the club’s decision on Friday.

“It is the moment when there is a club decision in which I cannot and should not participate because my role is in the sporting field, and the club decides to reinstate him,” explained Baraja.

“This week he is training on the sidelines and next week he will be integrated back into the group.

“Once the two-game suspension is over, he will be part of the group like any other player and I will decide whether he plays or not.”

The striker will miss Valencia’s away game against Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday and their home game against Girona next week.

Mir, who also played for the English team Wolves, denies having committed sexual abuse.

“Throughout the process there were situations where it was very difficult to make a Solomonic decision that everyone was happy with, but we tried to approach things with common sense,” Baraja continued.

“As a coach, I believe that an act of indiscipline must have consequences, not only for him but also for the well-being of the group.

“It gives us the opportunity to understand that a person can make mistakes, that there can be a day when they don’t do things right, and that we need to give them a second chance.”

Mir joined Valencia on loan from Sevilla in July, who signed him in 2021.