The Metropolitan Police has released a statement after submitting evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding a Premier League footballer accused of rape.
In July 2022, The Telegraph reported that a “prominent international footballer” had been arrested at a property in Barnet following an allegation of rape made by a woman in her twenties. The player was taken into custody and questioned.
He was later arrested on suspicion of two additional rapes allegedly committed against a different woman in her twenties in April and June 2021. Despite the serious allegations, the unnamed player has been allowed to continue playing for his Premier League club on full pay, a decision that has faced criticism from women’s groups and some politicians.
The Metropolitan Police described their investigation as “lengthy and complex,” involving multiple allegations of rape against the player. In February 2023, the footballer was interviewed under caution regarding a separate sexual offence allegedly involving a third woman. However, police decided not to proceed with the 2021 allegations.
On November 7, 2023, the player was again questioned under caution as part of the ongoing investigation, which spans incidents reported between 2021 and 2023. Detectives have now referred the case to prosecutors, asking them to consider filing charges.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated:
“Met officers are investigating multiple reports of alleged sexual offences between 2021 and 2023. A full file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and detectives continue to work closely with prosecutors. Those who have come forward to police continue to receive support from Met officers.”
For legal reasons, the player’s identity remains undisclosed, and his club has not publicly addressed the allegations or investigation.
Leave a Reply