Spain's De Gea calls sex scandal claims 'a lie'

Manchester United goal keeper said the claims were completely false and his lawyers would take action

SAINT-MARTIN-DE-Ré, FRANCE: Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper David De Gea on Friday dismissed as "a lie" claims that he organised a party at which women were forced to have sex with footballers.

"I am the first one to be surprised by this report. I deny it, it is false and nothing more, it is a lie and false," De Gea told a press conference at Spain's training base for the European Championship finals.

De Gea, 25, said he was "desperate" to take part in Euro 2016 and would not be put off his team duties.

The Eldiario.es news website reported that  De Gea and Athletic Bilbao's Iker Muniain were named in the testimony of a "protected witness" as part of an investigation into Spanish porn producer Ignacio Allende.

Better known as Torbe, the producer was detained in April for alleged crimes, including heading a prostitution ring, sexual abuse of under-age girls and human trafficking.

The witness reportedly said she and another woman were forced against their will to participate in a party in 2012 organised by De Gea, in which they both had sex with footballers.

They were alleged to be 23-year-old Muniain and another unnamed player, according to Eldiario.es, which published photocopies of the police report.

She did not mention having had sex with De Gea.

De Gea said the claims were completely false and his lawyers would take action.

"If it is possible, it gives me even more strength to be here with the national team," he said. "I have also had great support from my teammates and I am desperate to take part in this Euros.

"It is false what is coming out in the press and it will be in the hands of my lawyers."

The witness allegedly gave the testimony to police in June 2015 and then again in May, and the existence of such a party comes from her testimony alone.

A judicial source told AFP on condition of anonymity that a police report had been handed to a judge in the probe on Allende which involved footballers.  The source would not confirm its content or the identity of the players.

Muniain responded on Twitter, calling the allegations "completely untrue." "In the next few days, I will appoint a lawyer to defend my honour," he said.

The claims have made huge waves -- coming just three days before Spain begin their attempt to win a third consecutive European crown -- with speculation that De Gea could be sent home.

"I don't see why this would happen," a source close to De Gea, who also wished to remain anonymous, told AFP.

"David is talking to his team of lawyers. He is not involved in any sex abuse.

"He does not appear as one of the players who took part in the encounter."

De Gea is locked in a battle with veteran Iker Casillas for the goalkeeper spot in Spain's opening match against the Czech Republic on Monday.