Segunda División referee identified by phone in Gijón probe over alleged assault while posing as police | OneFootball

A Segunda División referee under investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting a sex worker in Gijón while posing as a national police officer was identified by his mobile phone. La Nueva España first revealed the case.

Officers from the Family and Women Unit, Ufam, traced the man, about 30, after the woman provided the number he used to contact her, then she identified him from a photograph. The case is now being handled by a Madrid court specialising in violence against women, because the Venezuelan complainant lives in the capital. Sexual offence investigations are conducted in the victim’s place of residence.

The referee has been released provisionally with precautionary measures after appearing before a judge in Gijón, where the alleged assault took place. The on-duty Examining Court No 1 initially took the case, then passed it to No 5 due to the date, before it was moved to Madrid.

Police inquiries are assessing whether the late January incident was isolated or whether there could be similar cases involving impersonation. The complainant says she was coerced into sex under threat of being reported to immigration services over her irregular status in Spain, and that he wore only various police insignia on his clothing.

National Police officers from El Natahoyo searched the suspect’s home to check for official uniforms from other forces such as the Local Police or Guardia Civil. The referee is well known in Oviedo and within Asturian football, and the referees’ technical committee was initially unaware but later activated internal protocols.

The complainant is due to give a statement in court as the investigation continues.

Source: Superdeporte