"I'm innocent, I can prove it" - Gudmundsson to go on trial for alleged sexual assault

Iceland's Albert Gudmundsson, the new Fiorentina player, will face trial in Reykjavik next week for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman who reported him in the summer of 2023.

The new Fiorentina player was reported for acts that allegedly took place at a club in the Icelandic capital just over a year ago, a case that denied him international call-ups until March 2024, when the Icelandic authorities closed the case. 

It was at that point that Gudmundsson returned to play for his country, just in time to play in the play-off for the European Championship in Germany, a goal he did not achieve. However, the complainant later lodged an appeal and the case was reopened in May.

According to Italian media reports, the player will travel to his hometown on Sunday to face a hearing on Thursday. The verdict, which could lead to between one and 16 years in prison if found guilty, will not be known until 2025.

"I trust in justice. I know I am innocent and I have good arguments to prove it," the player said at his presentation as a new Fiore player.

Gudmundsson, who has yet to make his debut due to a calf injury, became the most expensive signing in the 'Viola' history in August, in a deal that was completed for a loan of 8 million euros but with a purchase obligation of 17 million euros and 3.5 million euros in variables. A total of 28 million for Genoa, the club of origin. However, according to reports from Italy, the Italian side would have included a clause in which, in the event that the player is found guilty, the compulsory purchase would become optional.

The Icelandic player trained with his team-mates for the first time on Tuesday 3rd September, more than two weeks after his signing, and will be available for the first time to coach Rafaelle Palladino for the clash against Atalanta on Sunday 15th September, when he is not expected to start due to his lack of practice.