William Carvalho, the Portuguese international midfielder for Real Betis, appeared in court in Seville on Tuesday, accused of s*xually abusing a woman.
The 31-year-old denied s*xual assault and said his relationship with the woman was consensual.
“The person under investigation has made a statement, and no precautionary measures have been taken against him,” stated the Andalucia High Court of Justice.
“He is still under investigation and the court is keeping the preliminary proceedings open.”
Citing the claimed victim’s police complaint, Spanish tabloid Marca reported that the player dined with the woman in Seville in August before going to a club.
However, according to the statement, she awoke “with clear signs of violence on her body and without remembering exactly what had happened”.
A succession of s*xual assault accusations has harmed Spanish football’s reputation.
Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves is now on trial for alleged rape, while Hugo Mallo, a former Celta Vigo player, will be prosecuted in July for allegedly s*xually abusing a lady working as a Espanyol mascot.
Celta canceled striker Santi Mina’s contract in August following his four-year prison sentence for s*xual assault.
Former Spanish football federation director Luis Rubiales will go on trial for forcibly kissing women’s World Cup standout Jenni Hermoso on the lips in August. Rubiales claims the kiss was consensual.