Spain’s Euro 2016 preparations have been rocked with the news Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has been reportedly caught up in a sex scandal.
Key Points
The reigning champions begin their campaign on Monday with a match against the Czech Republic but the revelations on Friday have overshadowed the build-up.
Reports of De Gea being sent home from the tournament surfaced but proved to be premature; the 25-year-old was due to speak at a press conference this afternoon but his place at the media briefing was subsequently taken by Hector Bellerin and Aritz Aduriz,
Who’s implicated?
United goalkeeper De Gea and Athletico Bilbao star Iker Muniain have been named in testimony given by an anonymous witness into the ongoing investigation of porn baron Ignacio Allende Fernandez – also known as ‘Torbe’.
Torbe was jailed last April for the sexual abuse of minors and production and distribution of pornographic material featuring under-age girls
What is alleged to have happened?
According to Spanish newspaper El Dario, who have seen the court document, it is alleged De Gea messaged one witness to orgainse for her to meet Torbe and two footballers, Muniain and another unnamed player, at a Madrid hotel in 2012.
The woman has alleged that although De Gea did not have sex with her during the alleged sexual assault, the United star was responsible for arranging the encounter through Allende.
What are the police saying?
None of the footballers included in the documents have been charged with any crime by the Spanish police.
The authorities have not made any attempt to question the players implicated.
It is not suggest De Gea broke any laws.
Muniain’s agent insisted: ‘We are completely unaware of these claims. Neither the police nor the judge has made contact with us to ask for any information.’
It has been reported that De Gea’s official spokesman had declined to make a comment.
What are the likely consequences?
With all the furore caused by the story, it looks unlikely that De Gea will get the nod from Vicente del Bosque for Monday’s opening match in Group C.
Iker Casillas, who has been first-choice since 2002, will likely start in goal for the reigning champions.
