Referee investigated over rape of sex worker in Gijón officiated days after arrest | OneFootball

An Asturian professional referee under investigation over the alleged rape of a sex worker officiated a professional match only days after his late January arrest. According to LA NUEVA ESPAÑA, the case became public on Monday and the probe remains active.

He was detained after the woman filed a complaint and provided the phone number he had used to contact her. Officers from the Family and Women’s Unit in El Natahoyo identified a suspect, and the woman later picked him out from a photograph at the station.

A few days later, he took charge of Granada’s home win against Racing de Santander on the first weekend of February. After the allegations surfaced, the Spanish federation opened an investigation and suspended him from all activity as a precaution.

The case is now being handled by a court in Madrid because the complainant, who is Venezuelan, lives in the capital. The referee remains released under investigation with precautionary measures.

The complaint alleges he posed as a police officer to obtain sex without paying, threatening to report the woman to immigration authorities due to her presumed irregular status. Investigators are assessing whether this was an isolated incident or part of a pattern.

If the allegations are proven, the conduct could amount to a serious sexual assault offence carrying a lengthy prison term should it reach trial. The investigation is being led by the El Natahoyo unit, although the suspect does not reside in Gijón.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo