Ronaldo quizzed over rape

From correspondents in London
20oct05
MANCHESTER United's Cristiano Ronaldo has been arrested on suspicion of rape, the Press Association reported overnight.

The 20-year-old Portuguese international went voluntarily to a police station in London to speak to police investigating an allegation made by a woman.

She claims she was seriously sexually assaulted in a penthouse suite at the Sanderson Hotel in central London on October 2.

The star is expected to emphatically deny any wrongdoing.

A spokesman for Manchester United said the club is not releasing a statement about Ronaldo's arrest. Director of communications Phil Townsend said: "We're not commenting at the moment."

Scotland Yard released a statement saying two men attended an appointment at a police station "in connection with an investigation following allegations of serious sexual assault at a central London hotel on Sunday October 2".

The police said the first man, in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of rape and was being interviewed in custody at an unnamed police station.

The second man, in his 30s, was not arrested.

Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz told a Portuguese radio station that Ronaldo's summons had already been arranged after the Champions League match on Tuesday night, when United drew 0-0 with Lille.

"There's no gravity in the situation," Queiroz said. "Cristiano trained normally today ... then accompanied by people from Manchester, he went (to the police) to give testimony.

"There are no suspicious circumstances, just people who have made a complaint ... this could have substance or not. After the evidence (from the player) the authorities will draw the conclusions they believe to be right and fair."

Ronaldo appeared as a substitute in United's 3-2 English Premiership victory away to west London side Fulham on October 1.

English football has been plagued by a number of rape allegations in the past few years although none have led to any convictions.

The most recent involved Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack. The 24 year-old, on loan to Championship side Reading, was cleared of raping a 22-year-old girl at his home in September 2004.

Another Arsenal player, Dutch international forward Robin Van Persie, was also cleared of rape although the 21-year-old spent two weeks in detention following a rape allegation in June this year.

In September 2003 players from Chelsea and Newcastle United were accused of rape by a 17-year-old female.

She claimed the rape took place at a luxury hotel in London's West End, but the case was soon dropped because of insufficient evidence.

Almost simultaneously, a Leeds United player was questioned over the alleged rape of a 20-year-old woman.

"I hope to god he is innocent!"

DAMN!

He could drop Rohypnol in my cocoa, any time he liked.

I ain't naive to think these sorta allegations with pro footballers could never happen, but these bitches who fake these allegations deserve fucking life.

some money-grabbing bitch will make a few thousand from the tabloids telling her "story" , she'll of course remain anonymous and another fine footballers name is draaaaaged through the mud , its scandalous . I hope when hes exonerated he sues her for every penny she makes off his name , and a few thousand more

moonshine said:

It's a sad fact that false allegations potentially discredit true victims, but your response makes me violently ill.

Natsume said:

I agree with moonshine. Nothings worse them lying and on top of that making money off a lie. Whats wrong with moonshiens response?

thesexofit said:

How are you both so sure she's lying in the first place? I think it's a bit pre-emptive to call her a liar and money grabbing bitch.

Natsume said:

True. But i cant really see why a footballer would ever "need" to rape a girl. As simplistic and naive as that sounds. It adds up to a footballer who has way too much money on his hands, so then lets make money him. Girls who do this really are scum.

thesexofit said:

Rape is not about the "need" for sex. Rape is about power. People do not rape others because they can't get sex elsewhere.

People who rape are scum. And while I think it's terrible to falsely accuse someone of rape, it's equally as bad to completely dismiss what could be entirely true and valid.

Natsume said:

Hmmm good points.

Still likely girl is lying is the bottom line.

thesexofit said:

Um, successful, attractive people are capable of rape too, not just ugly down on their luck folks.

Natsume said:

Absolutely.

It's a sad situation all around. But blame can't be placed without knowing the facts. Which at this time are nothing more than that he's a suspect.

thesexofit said:

We will have to agree to disagree then. But your responses, frankly, really frighten me.

Fauxie said:

Of course. I dont know the stats for rape, but i do know media love to drag footballers through this shit. Infact, they drag anyone accused through this shit before the verdit. It makes things more interesting thats for sure.

We can't know anything for certain just yet, but heavy handed, cringe inducing statements aside, there's no doubt that the track record of such accusations points towards one conclusion (unfounded, insufficient evidence) more than another, no matter what your outrage or disgust for the thesexofit's insensitivity. Still, each case is different and we'll have to see.

Fauxie said:

such a reasonable, level-headed young man!

sorry. topics like this and the responses that inevitably follow get me really riled up. I'm gonna log off now and cool down.

I don't think he is guilty but he is a shit footballer