Del Bosque: No prospect of sending De Gea home over sex abuse claims

Vicente del Bosque, the Spain coach, gave David de Gea his full support yesterday and insisted there was never any prospect of the goalkeeper being sent home from Euro 2016 after he was implicated in an alleged sexual assault case.

De Gea has vehemently denied claims by a protected witness that he allegedly organised and paid for an encounter in which two girls were said to have been sexually assaulted by two Spain Under-21 players in a Madrid hotel in 2012. The allegations have overshadowed Spain’s preparations for their opening match against Czech Republic in Toulouse tomorrow.

Several Spanish media outlets published details yesterday of unverified text messages De Gea is alleged to have exchanged with the witness, but Del Bosque offered the Manchester United goalkeeper his full backing. “I think De Gea has given all the explanations he had to give and he has made it clear that he has nothing to do with this issue,” he said. “He said that to the whole squad, too.

“We all met up and the lad, calmly and sincerely, has explained that he has nothing to do with this issue. The squad is here to support him at all times and to give him the affection he needs at these times. Everything is normal and we’ll carry on.

“We have never considered [sending De Gea home],” Del Bosque added. “This was a surprise for us. We waited for the lad’s explanations. It seems that he has done nothing and I have to believe him.”

It remains to be seen if the developments influence Del Bosque’s decision over who to start in goal against the Czechs, with De Gea competing with Iker Casillas for the No1 spot. The coach was giving little away yesterday.

“We’re in a period of reflection and we have to think it over,” he said. “I can’t say now whether he will start or not.”