MADRID, 10 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Spanish footballer José Luis ‘Pepelu’ García, midfielder for Valencia CF, said on Tuesday that “everyone is older” and that his teammate Rafa Mir, accused of alleged sexual assault by two women, “knows the responsibility” that comes with playing for the ‘che’ team.
“It’s a matter that you are already aware of. Yesterday Rafa gave us his explanations, he told us his version, that is, he told us that he believes in his innocence. But anyway, it’s a judicial process and as the club has said, we stick to that,” Pepelu commented in a press release.
“Everyone is older and he knows the responsibility that comes with playing for Valencia. We are not in a situation for that kind of thing. I think the manager has made it clear to him, the club too. It is a fine and a fairly important issue and I think he is already aware that he has done things very badly. And well, as I say, it is the club’s business,” reiterated the ‘che’ midfielder.
Pepelu also spoke about how the matter is seen in the Valencia dressing room. “Obviously it affects everyone. Even though he is the only one involved, there is a lot of media noise. We know this, but as a group we have to focus on the day to day, on the sporting side and keep looking ahead,” he said in this regard.
On the other hand, he assessed all the setbacks of his team. “Even though that is something extra-sporting, the other thing… about injuries, in the world of football they can happen. We have now had to deal with everything together and the strength of the group has to give us that energy to look ahead and try to win the games,” predicted Pepelu.
Despite so many setbacks at the start of the season, the midfielder was confident. “Obviously yes, otherwise I think we would have a problem. We know we are going through a difficult situation, a delicate moment with one point out of twelve,” Pepelu stressed.
He therefore advocated playing next Sunday (9:00 p.m.) at the Metropolitano Stadium “with energy” and “with a lot of desire also for the new additions to the group, and with the energy and conviction to win at the Wanda,” referring to that match against Atlético de Madrid on matchday 5 of LaLiga EA Sports.
He was also asked about his call-up to the Spanish national team. “For me, going is an extra motivation, it means keeping that illusion alive and I’m back with a lot of energy, eager to do things well again at Valencia, which in the end is the most important thing and what has made me able to go there,” he said.
However, the controversy with Mir attracted more questions from journalists. “I think everyone is aware that these situations cannot happen, especially in the situation we are in. It is the image of the club, it is the image of the players and, as I say, it cannot happen again because it is a lack of respect for the club,” he said.
Finally, he pointed out that Mir “should have learned from that situation.” “A situation that, as I say, is a lack of respect for the club and the fans, which cannot be tolerated. It is a difficult situation for him, and I hope and wish that he has learned from it and that it obviously never happens again,” concluded Pepelu.