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Man Utd's C. Ronaldo questioned over rape claim
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-20 08:47
LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Manchester United's Portuguese soccer star
Cristiano Ronaldo was questioned by police on Wednesday over rape allegations,
his agent said.
 In a statement, Jorge Mendes said Ronaldo voluntarily went to the
police for questioning and denied any wrongdoing.
"The accusation of rape that has been made against Cristiano Ronaldo is
totally and categorically repudiated," read the statement on Mendes' Web site
(http://www.gestifute.com).
"As the investigations will demonstrate, these charges are not based on any
credible facts."
Police did not confirm the player's identity. A spokesman said a man in his
20's was arrested on suspicion of rape in connection with allegations of a
serious sexual assault on Oct 2.
A spokesman for the London police, who are leading the investigation, later
said the man had been released on bail on Wednesday evening pending further
inquiries. Police gave no more details.
United's assistant coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed that the man was the
20-year-old winger, but said the accusations had no basis and Ronaldo was merely
answering police questions.
"He went to make a statement as was planned. Based on those statements, the
authorities are going to reach fair and correct conclusions," Queiroz told
Portugal's SIC TV.
Police said they had also questioned a man in his 30's, who was not arrested.
An arrest in Britain does not necessarily mean charges will be filed.
Police said the two men had come to a police station by appointment as part
of the investigation. They did not disclose where the questioning took place.
Manchester United's director of communications Phil Townsend said the club
would not comment on the case.
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