Villarreal defender Ruben Semedo charged with attempted murder and temporarily detained without bail
A Spanish judge has charged Villarreal defender Ruben Semedo with attempted murder and ordered him to be temporarily detained without bail.
Court officials in Lliria say on Thursday the Portuguese player is also charged with assault, robbery, illegal detention, and illegal possession of firearms.
Semedo testified before a judge on Thursday, and left the court in handcuffs.
The 23-year-old Semedo was detained early Tuesday, accused of tying up, assaulting and threatening another man last week. Authorities say he and two other men allegedly held the victim captive while they robbed his apartment.
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Villarreal on Tuesday said it was investigating Semedo and would take appropriate disciplinary action.
Villarreal signed Semedo from Sporting Lisbon last summer for a reported fee of 14 million euros (£12.5m)
Semedo’s agents told Spanish media the player denies any wrongdoing.
“Ruben was victim of a fraud, of a huge trick, probably financial,” he said to TSF before Thursday’s court appearance. “In this situation, he didn’t react very correctly, but he was the victim.
“What I have seen on Spanish television is a disgraceful situation, really bad. Ruben was not involved in that.
“The supposed kidnapping never happened. It’s a total lie that there was a kidnapping and torture. The gun didn’t belong to Semedo, although they found it in his house. [On Thursday] we will know more details in court and it will all be clear.”
Defender Semedo has made only five appearances for Villarreal this season.
