Three-Time World Champion Sentenced in Domestic Abuse Case

Óscar Freire, the three-time road cycling world champion from Spain, avoided more serious charges in an alleged domestic abuse case involving his wife.

According to media reports in Spain, Freire was sentenced to nine days of house arrest and a judge issued a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his wife for six months, according to the ruling issued Monday by a court in Spain’s Cantabria region.

He also cannot be within 200 meters of her physically and cannot go to her place of work or other places she frequents, a court ruled.

The case made headlines this week in Spain, where Freire — who won a record-tying three road racing world titles during his career — escaped more serious penalties in a long-running alleged conflict with his wife.

According to the victim’s lawyer, the case was expedited, and more serious charges were dropped to avoid further emotional distress for the victim and her family. The couple has three children together and is currently undergoing a divorce, according to Cadena SER.

On Sunday, the victim filed a complaint against Freire for alleged domestic abuse, including assaults, threats, harassment, and intimidation. Hours later, Freire was arrested.

According to her lawyer, speaking to Europa Press, the incident occurred on April 12, during Mass at a local church. Based on the complaint, although they were sitting apart, Freire allegedly moved and sat next to her, and an argument broke out.

The woman reportedly told him that it wasn’t the place and got up to leave, but Freire allegedly grabbed her arm and forced her to sit down with him again, according to the lawyer.

After leaving the church, she allegedly tried to call the former cyclist’s brother, and he snatched the phone from her and made derogatory comments about her in front of others outside the church, the lawyer recounted.

Though the charges were limited to this incident, the victim claimed that it was the latest in a long-running series of alleged abuses she claims were part of their 20-year marriage.

According to Europa Press, which had access to court documents, the victim detailed other incidents of physical and mental abuse during their relationship, but decided to drop the other charges.

Last year, Freire went missing for several days after a family argument and was only located after she filed a missing persons report with local police.

There was no immediate reaction from Freire.