Man arrested over football rape allegations
Scotland Yard has announced the arrest of a man in connection with rape allegations against Premiership footballers.
The man attended a police station yesterday, where he was arrested before being released on bail. He has not been charged but has been asked to return later this month.
This is the first arrest in relation to allegations that several men raped a girl in a West End hotel, some of whom were professional footballers.
The girl at the centre of the allegations reported to police that she had been attacked after she consented to have sex with one footballer. She claimed that several other men then entered the room and assaulted her.
Since then the men accused have sought legal protection to avoid having their names revealed, and it was reported that one witness claimed that sex took place but was consented to.
Publicist Max Clifford has since reported that the Catholic schoolgirl has taken an Aids test, and that the results were negative.
The case was the first of two recent sexual assault cases to rock football.
In another case, two men connected to Leeds United football club, and another man, have been talking to police about an alleged assault near Leeds.
The incident took place on Monday evening, and police cordoned off a lay-by on a road out of the city.
Two of the three men were arrested for questioning on Tuesday, over the allegations of assault, made by a twenty-year-old woman. Leeds United has stated that they will abide by club policy and afford every co-operation to the police.
Both men have now been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The third man was not arrested and was reported to be helping the police with their inquiries.
These accusations make up part of a bad fortnight for football, in which player behaviour on and off the pitch have come under strong scrutiny.
Sol Campbell was fined yesterday for an incident in the Charity Shield match against Manchester United, while Craig Bellamy was fined on Tuesday for threatening and abusive behaviour in an incident outside a nightclub.
The England team has also had preparations for their vital match in Turkey hindered by an FA decision to block Rio Ferdinand’s selection over a missed drug test. Players reportedly came close to revolt, threatening to boycott the match, but instead worded a strong criticism of the FA decision.
