Hector Barbera’s altercation with his girlfriend – apparently she wanted to break it off – got very messy because lover’s spat turned into a brawl that saw his girlfriend end up in the hospital with some bruises, with the two later carted off before a judge in one of Spain’s domestic violence courts in record time.
Both Barbera and his ex(?) girlfriend both received suspended sentences, with the Spanish rider’s six month sentence commuted to community service.
Barbera has released the following statement on his Facebook page where he apologizes to everyone and says he was treated unfairly by the press and lynched by fans who didn’t know the whole truth.
About the information that have been published in different press media, I want to clarify with this communication on how the facts occurred in the night of May 9th.
I obviously do not feel proud at all of what happened, and I want to express my apologizies to everyone, especially to my family, my friends and team members.
In this procedure, I must assume my duties and responsabilities, but, I feel (as also stated the Court) that I was attacked and affected by this incident.
After the opportune denouncements, we strictly followed the protocol marked by the law for these kind of issues.
Once in the Court, both parts declared and were visited by the medical examiner, who certified the injuries I had.
In any case and been respectful I renounce to provide more details about this.
Both parts accepted the Jerez Court resolution.
I have accepted immediately this Court resolution as an attempt to conclude not only with this legal procedure but also with the unfair social and media treatment I have suffered undeservedly with opinions and statements which are far away from reality, all based in rumors that weren’t verified.
In my family we are three kids, two girls and one boy, we grew up together, learning the values of respect, fairness and love, I would never think on hurting or damaging any person, no matter if it was a woman or man.
I am firmly against any type of mistreatement or abuse to anyone.
To me this matter is now definitely closed forever and just want to dedicate all my efforts to my sport career as I have been doing till now.
I refer to my Press and legal advisors if required.