RCD Espanyol player says sexual relationship with colleague was consensual

RCD Espanyol footballer Álvaro Aguado claimed in court that the sexual relationship he and a working colleague had was consensual. The player is under investigation for sexual assault for events that allegedly occurred last June in a nightclub in Barcelona.

Aguado appeared in court on Wednesday, and according to judicial sources, the player knew about the complaint through the team. However, RCD Espanyol did not activate any protocol on sexual violence, nor did they warn Aguado of any wrongdoing. 

The events took place at the Opium nightclub in June 2024 when the club celebrated its promotion to La Liga, although the party was not organized by the club.

The woman did not file the complaint immediately, and she is also employed by RCD Espanyol.

The complaint was filed last January, as she was not ready to face a judicial process and was scared of reprisals at her place of work. She continues to be employed by the club, but does not have any contact with Álvaro Aguado.

The hotline 016 serves victims of gender-based violence, their families, and those close to them 24 hours a day, every day of the year, in 53 different languages. The number is not recorded on the phone bill, but the call would need to be deleted from the device if the caller wishes to prevent it from being seen.