Celta Vigo confirm Santi Mina will resume training amid court appeal

Celta Vigo have confirmed a request from Santi Mina to be reintegrated into pre-season training while he awaits an appeal verdict to an initial prison sentence.

In May, Celta “temporarily” removed Mina from their first-team squad pending disciplinary proceedings after the forward was sentenced to four years in prison for the sexual abuse of a woman.

The forward was sentenced when a ruling was handed down by the Third Section of the Provisional Court of Almeria in relation to an incident on June 18, 2017.

Mina’s legal representation confirmed at the time that he will appeal the decision. In a statement reported by EFE, they cited “important errors in the assessment of the tests carried out and therefore of the events that occurred”.

Celta subsequently acknowledged the court’s sentencing and communicated the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Mina while continuing to respect “the player’s right to defence” ahead of his appeal.

Comunicado oficial.

— RC Celta (@RCCelta) July 18, 2022

In a statement released on Monday, the LaLiga club confirmed they were prompted by Mina and his representation to reintegrate him, again noting their respect for his right to appeal.

“Through a burofax, RC Celta is required to [allow the player to] join the team’s training sessions immediately,” the statement read. “So in this case the club is forced to assume the presence of the player from this moment on in the preparation sessions within the times stipulated…”

While noting Mina declined a transfer abroad, Celta also raised the possibility of legal action in the event his appeal falters.

“RC Celta reserves its right to claim, if the ruling becomes final, all damages caused by the player’s behaviour to the entity, both economic and club image, respecting today his right to appeal,” the club added.