Villarreal player Ruben Semedo appeared in a Spanish court yesterday, facing charges of murder.
Further charges include robbery, assault, possession of illegal weapons and illegal detention. He was remanded without bail. Semedo was previously a player for Portugal under-21s and signed to Villarreal last year from Sporting Lisbon for 14 million euros.
He is accused of tying up, assaulting and pointing a gun at the victim.
His agent made a statement, saying, “Ruben was a victim of fraud, a large-scale swindle, probably of a financial nature.
“Against this situation he didn’t react in the best possible way, but he was the victim. From what I’ve seen on Spanish television, it’s a regrettable situation and not correct, but Ruben wasn’t involved in this.
“The alleged kidnapping did not take place. It’s a total lie that there was a kidnapping and torture. The gun didn’t belong to Semedo even though they found it in his house.”
Villarreal has now opened an investigation. The player is currently suspended from the club without pay.