The saga surrounding Santi Mina continues to unfold with mounting public and professional pressure. After weeks of quiet restraint, the footballer remained suspended from work duties and his pay as RC Celta Vigo weighed how best to conclude the working relationship. The tension between the club and the striker shifted from private disagreement to a visible, ongoing dispute that has captured attention far beyond Vigo.
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The latest development saw Mina returning to some level of team activity only after a formal communication from the club demanding he join training on a regular schedule with teammates. This move came despite Mina having previously faced a potential four-year prison sentence in connection with a sexual abuse case in Almería in 2017. While Celta Vigo maintained a presumption of innocence as legal proceedings carried on, the prospect of an acquittal fed a volatile atmosphere around the club. The club publicly backed Mina during ongoing trials, and team sessions continued with him in attendance. However, once an indictment was issued, the club suspended his contract and salary, signaling a possible end to his time with the club.
Months into the stalemate, Mina has remained in an uncertain position, rarely appearing in public except for moments like a teammate’s wedding. The club, reluctant to pay out the remaining two years of Mina’s contract, explored several stopgap options despite the complications tied to his status. Early considerations included a move to the Middle East and a loan offer from Aris Thessaloniki in Greece, a club competing in the Conference League this season. Mina reportedly rejected both paths, citing financial concerns.
Another avenue emerged in recent weeks: a renewed attempt to reach a deal within a tight deadline set by the club. Mina sought relief in legal avenues through the Andalusian High Court of Justice, asking for reinstatement and protections for workers’ rights, arguing that he should be allowed to resume duties while the case proceeds. He warned that a prolonged dispute could force the club to shoulder significant costs, including potential compensation. Some viewed Mina’s approach as a tactic to pressure Celta into meeting contractual terms, while others believed it might drive the club to sell the player to balance the budget for the upcoming season. The club emphasized its limited resources amid a challenging financial climate and weighed how any agreement would affect its league standing. There were public rumors that Mina could complicate Celta’s ability to register players for the season, though the exact outcome of a complete separation remained unclear given the financial realities.
In a recent statement, Celta signaled it reserved the right to pursue damages to both finances and image if penalties were finalized and Mina’s conduct harmed the organization. The club stressed that it would respect the right to appeal as the process continued.
The club noted that Mina had reportedly declined an offer to join a team from another league. An official announcement asserted that the club would never tolerate a self-interested worker attempting to pressure the club and expressed surprise at the moves attributed to a player seen as aiming to damage RC Celta’s reputation, noting that the team had acted in accordance with the rules since the court decision. The message underscored the club’s values and the loyalty it expects from players, signaling a firm stance in the dispute.
Looking ahead, the club’s position remained that Mina could still reconsider a transfer to another club or participate in a negotiated settlement that minimizes disruption to Celta’s plans for the next season. The stance reflected a careful balance between managing resources and preserving competitive strength. As events continued to unfold, the tension between Mina’s expectations and the club’s financial constraints shaped ongoing negotiations. The public pressure on Mina remained intense, underscoring the high-profile nature of the dispute for Vigo and the broader football community.
In recent commentary, Celta reiterated that it would pursue damages if penalties were finalized, highlighting potential economic and reputational impacts on the organization. The statement also clarified that the club would not tolerate actions perceived as undermining its integrity and insisted that it had acted in line with league regulations since the court decision. The club reaffirmed its values and the loyalty it expects from players, signaling a resolute stance in the face of the dispute.
The club’s stance remains consistent: Mina could either reconsider and seek a transfer or contribute to a negotiated settlement that minimizes disruption to Celta’s plans. This stance reflects the club’s need to manage resources while preserving competitive strength for the upcoming season. The situation continues to develop, with both sides weighing options as the broader football world watches. The central question is whether a path can be found that respects legal processes, protects the club’s interests, and allows Mina to continue his professional career without compromising the team’s stability.