Friday 23 February 2018 18:08, UK
Villarreal have suspended defender Ruben Semedo without pay after he was arrested and charged with attempted murder and robbery.
The 23-year-old also faces charges of assault, illegal detention and illegal possession of firearms.
Semedo was accused of tying up, assaulting and threatening another man in an incident last week. Authorities said he and two other men allegedly held the victim captive while they robbed his apartment.
The Portuguese testified before a judge in the south-eastern city of Lliria on Thursday and was led from the court in handcuffs. Semedo's agents told Spanish media the player denies any wrongdoing.
Villarreal said on Friday that they were dismayed by the seriousness of the charges against Semedo and, although the club respected the presumption of innocence, they would suspend the player until the end of the legal process.
"While always respecting the notion that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, the club has decided to suspend the player from duties without pay until the ongoing case has been settled," Villarreal said in a statement on their website.
"Villarreal would like to show its horror at the grave crimes the player Ruben Semedo was charged with."
Villarreal signed the former Portugal U21 international from Sporting Lisbon last summer.
