https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...footballer-accused-rape-police-pass-file-cps/
A Premier League footballer accused of rape could be charged after the Metropolitan Police provided a full file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Scotland Yard’s decision in recent days to ask prosecutors to weigh up potential charges against the leading player will send shock waves through the player’s club. Telegraph Sport understands the CPS is now assessing evidence compiled over two and a half years. No timescale has been specified on a potential decision but it could be a matter of weeks.
Telegraph Sport had revealed in July 2022 how the prominent international had been arrested after a woman in her twenties came forward to make a complaint.
He was further arrested at the time on suspicion of two other rapes that were alleged to have taken place against a different woman in her twenties in April and June 2021.
However, to the dismay of some politicians and women’s groups, the player, in his thirties, has continued to play on a full salary for his club – and even featured at the 2022 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Met Police has been pursuing a lengthy investigation into multiple claims of rape. In February 2023, the footballer was interviewed under caution in relation to an alleged sexual offence that had taken place relating to a third potential victim.
Police subsequently decided to take no further action in relation to the June 2021 allegation that he was questioned about in July 2022. However, on Nov 7 last year, the suspect attended a police station and was again questioned under caution as part of the investigation. Scotland Yard said then that investigations remain ongoing concerning alleged offences that took place between 2021 and 2023. If offences took place in 2023, that would suggest women came forward after his initial arrest.
A Met Police spokesperson told Telegraph Sport: “Met officers are investigating following a number of reports of alleged sexual offences between 2021 and 2023.
“A full file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service and detectives continue to work with prosecutors.
“Those who have come forward to police continue to receive support from Met officers.”
The player cannot be named for legal reasons and his club have never commented on his arrest. He remains under contract as one of his club’s best-paid players on hundreds of thousands of pounds a week and has been a first-team regular throughout.
Club responses to rape allegations against players have varied over the years. Manchester United suspended Mason Greenwood immediately on full pay after he was arrested in January 2022 following allegations surrounding material which was published online. Charges against the former England international including attempted rape and assault were dropped on Feb 2, 2023.
Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy, who was charged with rape and sexual assault in August 2021, was suspended without pay from August 2021 until he left the club in June 2023. After being cleared of charges, however, Mendy last year won an employment tribunal claim that he was entitled to “the majority of his unpaid salary” from City.
July 28: The Met announces no further action is being taken in relation to the alleged offence in June 2021. The force says its investigation into the two other complaints remains ongoing. It also says the suspect’s bail has been extended to a date in early October.
July 29: It emerges that the alleged June 2022 rape took place months after the FA received a complaint from the alleged victim of the 2021 attacks but that it found the suspect did not pose “a risk of harm to children or adults at risk in football”.
Oct 3: The Met says the suspect’s bail has been further extended, with an exact date yet to be confirmed. It subsequently emerges that is late November.
Nov 22: The Met says bail has been extended to early January. The suspect goes on to be picked to play for his country at the World Cup in Qatar.
March 23: The Met announces the suspect had been interviewed under caution the previous month over an alleged sexual offence committed against a third victim in February the previous year.
July 4: The Met confirms the suspect’s bail has been extended to a date in August.
Aug 15: The Met announces the suspect has his bail lifted and is released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out.
Nov 30: Two more women come forward to the BBC with accusations against the suspect. Of his five accusers, two tell the corporation that what allegedly happened to them could have been prevented if he had been suspended after the police began investigating claims against him or following his arrest.
A Premier League footballer accused of rape could be charged after the Metropolitan Police provided a full file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Scotland Yard’s decision in recent days to ask prosecutors to weigh up potential charges against the leading player will send shock waves through the player’s club. Telegraph Sport understands the CPS is now assessing evidence compiled over two and a half years. No timescale has been specified on a potential decision but it could be a matter of weeks.
Telegraph Sport had revealed in July 2022 how the prominent international had been arrested after a woman in her twenties came forward to make a complaint.
He was further arrested at the time on suspicion of two other rapes that were alleged to have taken place against a different woman in her twenties in April and June 2021.
However, to the dismay of some politicians and women’s groups, the player, in his thirties, has continued to play on a full salary for his club – and even featured at the 2022 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Met Police has been pursuing a lengthy investigation into multiple claims of rape. In February 2023, the footballer was interviewed under caution in relation to an alleged sexual offence that had taken place relating to a third potential victim.
Police subsequently decided to take no further action in relation to the June 2021 allegation that he was questioned about in July 2022. However, on Nov 7 last year, the suspect attended a police station and was again questioned under caution as part of the investigation. Scotland Yard said then that investigations remain ongoing concerning alleged offences that took place between 2021 and 2023. If offences took place in 2023, that would suggest women came forward after his initial arrest.
A Met Police spokesperson told Telegraph Sport: “Met officers are investigating following a number of reports of alleged sexual offences between 2021 and 2023.
“A full file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service and detectives continue to work with prosecutors.
“Those who have come forward to police continue to receive support from Met officers.”
The player cannot be named for legal reasons and his club have never commented on his arrest. He remains under contract as one of his club’s best-paid players on hundreds of thousands of pounds a week and has been a first-team regular throughout.
Club responses to rape allegations against players have varied over the years. Manchester United suspended Mason Greenwood immediately on full pay after he was arrested in January 2022 following allegations surrounding material which was published online. Charges against the former England international including attempted rape and assault were dropped on Feb 2, 2023.
Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy, who was charged with rape and sexual assault in August 2021, was suspended without pay from August 2021 until he left the club in June 2023. After being cleared of charges, however, Mendy last year won an employment tribunal claim that he was entitled to “the majority of his unpaid salary” from City.
Timeline of events
2022
July 4: The Metropolitan Police arrest a 29-year-old Premier League footballer on suspicion of rape following an allegation he had assaulted a woman in her twenties the previous month. He is further arrested on suspicion of two incidents of rape alleged to have been committed in April and June of 2021 against a different woman in her twenties. He is released on bail until a date in August. He denies the allegations and is not suspended by his club or the Football Association.July 28: The Met announces no further action is being taken in relation to the alleged offence in June 2021. The force says its investigation into the two other complaints remains ongoing. It also says the suspect’s bail has been extended to a date in early October.
July 29: It emerges that the alleged June 2022 rape took place months after the FA received a complaint from the alleged victim of the 2021 attacks but that it found the suspect did not pose “a risk of harm to children or adults at risk in football”.
Oct 3: The Met says the suspect’s bail has been further extended, with an exact date yet to be confirmed. It subsequently emerges that is late November.
Nov 22: The Met says bail has been extended to early January. The suspect goes on to be picked to play for his country at the World Cup in Qatar.
2023
Jan 27: The Met says bail has been extended until early July.March 23: The Met announces the suspect had been interviewed under caution the previous month over an alleged sexual offence committed against a third victim in February the previous year.
July 4: The Met confirms the suspect’s bail has been extended to a date in August.
Aug 15: The Met announces the suspect has his bail lifted and is released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out.
Nov 30: Two more women come forward to the BBC with accusations against the suspect. Of his five accusers, two tell the corporation that what allegedly happened to them could have been prevented if he had been suspended after the police began investigating claims against him or following his arrest.
