MADRID (AP) — A Spanish judge has charged Villarreal defender Ruben Semedo with attempted murder and ordered him to be temporarily detained without bail.
FILE – A Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 file photo showing Villarreal’s Ruben Semedo, left, challenging Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Villarreal and FC Barcelona at the Ceramica stadium in Villarreal, Spain. Spanish club Villarreal says Tuesday Feb. 20, 2018 it has opened an investigation against defender Ruben Semedo after reports that he was arrested for an incident involving violence last week. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz, File)
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.
Semedo’s agents told Spanish media the player denies any wrongdoing.
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 ($17 million).
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