Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has backed goalkeeper David De Gea ahead of the country's Euro 2016 opener after his player denied involvement in a case of alleged sexual assault from 2012.
"We sat down together with him, so the coaching staff could hear his explanation. He did this very calmly and we will give him every support," the 65-year-old Del Bosque said on Saturday in an interview with Television Espanola and the Cadena Cope radio station.
"I see no reason to doubt him."
On Friday, Spanish websites eldiario and El Confidencial alleged De Gea might have been involved in a sexual assault in a Madrid hotel involving women allegedly linked to a prostitution ring, an accusation De Gea branded "all lies".
The incident is alleged to have happened with two other players while De Gea was with the Spain under-21 team in 2012.
Reigning champions Spain begin the defence of their European title on Monday against the Czech Republic in Toulouse.
Del Bosque said De Gea would still be considered to start the match as "we will do the same we would have done if nothing had happened".
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