Manchester United Goalkeeper David de Gea Implicated In Sexual Assault Case, Says, ‘It’s All False’

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, whose reported purge from the Spanish Euro 2016 team made headlines after he was named a witness in an ongoing investigation of a sexual abuse case, will not be asked to leave the team. Amidst confusion over whether the 25-year-old is to leave France, de Gea has alleged that the allegations are a lie, in a quick press conference held to clear his position on the matter.

In a case that accuses pornographer Ignacio Fernandez Allende — known infamously as Torbe — of human trafficking, child pornography, circulation of the same, tax offenses, money laundering, and extortion, the Manchester United keeper has been identified by the victim as someone who set up an encounter between herself and Allende. Along with de Gea, Spanish winger Iker Muniain and an unspecified player of the same Spanish team have also been named. But whether any of them will indeed suffer bans for the tournament remains to be seen, as a cloud of confusion hangs above their future.

Note on De Gea story: by rules, a player can be replaced before the start of the tournament ONLY after a certified injury

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) June 10, 2016

The United player who is famous for his saves, is widely believed to be the one who will wear the gloves permanently for the Spanish side, after their captain, Iker Casillas, retires. With all eyes on the Euro Cup-defending team, de Gea tweeted of his excitement regarding the Euro yesterday. While he will, by his own admission, be staying on, the Spanish team is yet to announce whether the Manchester keeper will continue to represent the national team, once the trial progresses further.

Ya en Francia.Con ganas de que empiece la #Euro2016 ???? Just landed in France.Can't wait for the start of the Euro! pic.twitter.com/9NeQnIhZVB

— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) June 8, 2016

The victim, whom the Spanish court is treating with the highest degree of credibility, claims to have been sexually assaulted at the “party” that de Gea organized for his Spanish Under-21 footballer colleagues. According to her, Allende not only forced her and another woman to do whatever the players wanted, but also ensured her silence on her sufferings.

The police report, which has been quoted in The Independent, speaks of the statement given by the victim — referred to as the Protected Witness 3 or TP3 — on her experience.

“Having brought TP3 to the room with the other girl, Torbe told her that they had to be with the footballers, and that they had to do whatever they wanted and that they [the girls] would earn significant money. When TP3 refused, Torbe took her roughly by the arm, saying they had to do whatever the footballer wanted… [both] the new girl and TP3 were sexually assaulted by the footballers, given that if they refused they were physically attacked by both, and moreover, having satisfied the sexual desires of both players, the footballers threatened them in order to ensure that what had happened in the room would never be heard about. Neither TP3 or the other girl who was in the room received anything for the physical and sexual assault they suffered, with Torbe taking all the earnings.”

Less illustrious than Manchester’s de Gea, but a celebrated player nonetheless, 23-year-old Iker Muniain is a significant talent, who was dubbed the “Spanish Messi” by critics. While the Athletico Bilbao winger’s stand is not known yet, the keeper who made history as the most expensive goalkeeper signing for Manchester United said in the conference that the apparently false allegations make his efforts to stay with the Spanish team stronger. Sky Sports journalist Guillen Balague live tweeted from the conference, in which the Manchester United player also said that he has left it all “in the hands” of his lawyer and that he knows what he has done with his life.

De Gea: "I am a quiet guy and it is difficult that something affects me. And when something is false more reasons not to be affected"

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) June 10, 2016

[Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images]