Real Betis midfielder Carvalho investigated for alleged sexual assault

Real Betis’ Portuguese international midfielder William Carvalho appeared in a Seville court on Tuesday, accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

The 31-year-old denied sexual assault and said his relations with the woman were consensual.

“The person under investigation has made a statement and no precautionary measures have been taken against him,” said the Andalucia High Court of Justice.

“He is still under investigation and the court is keeping the preliminary proceedings open.”

Citing the alleged victim’s complaint to the police, Spanish newspaper Marca said the player had dined with the woman in Seville in August and they then went to a club.

But, according to the statement, she woke up “with clear signs of violence on her body and without remembering exactly what had happened”.

Spanish football has been tarnished by a string of sexual assault cases.

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves is currently on trial for alleged rape, while former Celta Vigo player Hugo Mallo will be tried in July for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman working as a mascot for Espanyol.

Celta terminated the contract of striker Santi Mina in August after he was sentenced to four years in prison for sexual assault.

And former Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales will face trial after forcibly kissing women’s World Cup star Jenni Hermoso on the lips in August. Rubiales says the kiss was consensual.