A 34-year-old youth team football coach has been arrested on serious charges including child pornography, sexual assault, exhibitionism, and the inducement of minors into prostitution.
The arrest, confirmed by the Canary Islands’ Superior Police Headquarters, follows an investigation led by the National Police’s Family and Women's Unit (UFAM).
The suspect, who coached children in lower football divisions in Arrecife, Lanzarote, allegedly used his position to gain the trust of his young players before engaging in predatory behaviour. His modus operandi involved grooming the boys through social media, sending them sexual content, and in some cases arranging physical encounters. Two minors have come forward to report sexual assaults.
This is not the first time the man has come under police scrutiny. He was previously arrested in November 2024 on charges of child grooming involving one of the boys he coached. That arrest led to a search of his home, during which police seized several computers and mobile phones. A forensic analysis of these devices enabled investigators to identify and contact eight additional underage victims, all of whom had been coached by the suspect and confirmed his inappropriate conduct.
The National Police launched a new operation to locate and arrest the man, which concluded successfully on 10th April 2025. After completing their investigations, officers presented the suspect to the competent judicial authority, who immediately ordered his imprisonment.
The case has sent shockwaves through the local community in Lanzarote and highlights ongoing concerns about safeguarding in youth sports. Authorities continue to urge parents and guardians to report any signs of inappropriate behaviour and ensure children are aware of how to seek help.
