January 9 – The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has begun reviewing a “full file” of evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police regarding a Premier League footballer accused of multiple counts of rape.
The player, who is in his 30s and cannot be identified for legal reasons, was first arrested in July 2022 in London on suspicion of rape and has remained under investigation while continuing to play for his club.
Following his initial arrest, the footballer was released on bail and subsequently placed under “released under investigation” (RUI) status. While in custody, he faced further allegations, including two additional incidents of rape alleged to have taken place in April and June 2021 involving a second woman.
In February 2023, the footballer was questioned regarding a separate sexual offence alleged to have occurred in the same month involving a third woman. As part of the ongoing investigation, he attended a police station on November 7, where he was interviewed under caution.
A Metropolitan Police statement read: “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 (CPS) and detectives continue to work with prosecutors.
“Those who have come forward to police continue to receive support from Met officers.”
The CPS, which operates independently to prosecute criminal cases in England and Wales, is now assessing whether the evidence submitted by the police meets the legal threshold required to charge the footballer with the offences that allegedly took place between 2021 and 2023.
Throughout the lengthy investigation, the footballer has remained under contract with his club and has continued to receive his full salary.
The case raises significant questions about how such allegations are managed within professional football, especially when players under investigation continue to participate in matches and represent their teams publicly.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1736495598labto1736495598ofdlr1736495598owedi1736495598sni@g1736495598niwe.1736495598yrrah1736495598