Footballers meet judge to hear fate

11 March 2004

CARTAGENA – Three Leicester City footballers accused of sexual assault were being interviewed Thursday in a Spanish court to hear if they will be granted bail.

Paul Dickov, Frank Sinclair and Keith Gillespie met the judge behind closed doors in a court in Cartagena, south-east Spain.

The players, who deny allegations they attacked three women in a hotel in La Manga, have spent nearly a week in Sangonera prison near Murcia.

The judge earlier broke off proceedings to express horror at a series of blasts in Madrid, in which at least 170 died.

Judge Jacinto Areste said: “All of us who are working here… want to show all our pain for the families of those who have died in Madrid.

“We firmly reject the barbarity of those who have committed this and also those who, with hypocrisy, are supporting them at this time.”

Around 100 court staff held a five-minute silence in memory of the victims.

Leicester City’s manager Micky Adams said the club’s thoughts were with the families of those affected.

“That is a tragic event that has happened there today and when you see the loss of life there it puts everything into perspective as far as I am concerned.”

Adams said he was not concerned with the length of time it took for the judge to make his decision on the players’ release .

“As long as the judge takes everything into consideration, I am sure that he will reach the right verdict and I don’t care how long it takes.”

The players’ lawyer in Spain, Ana Ruiperez, earlier indicated that the case could take all day: “One must have patience. All day.”

The three players face up to 14 years in prison if found guilty.

Six other Leicester City players were released from custody last week.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news