Two 19-year-old football players from the same team, whose identities have not been disclosed, were arrested over the weekend following a report to the police by the alleged victim. One of the players, a 19-year-old, was reportedly engaged in discussions with the police on allegations of violence and assisting in a rape at the club’s stadium before being formally arrested upon exiting the premises. He was then cautiously interrogated by the police after spending the night in custody. The other player, also 19, was taken into custody the next day and questioned regarding rape-related charges.
Both players were subsequently released on bail while further investigations are underway. The alleged victim is said to have contacted the police and filed a formal complaint hours after the purported incident on Friday night.
A statement from the authorities mentioned, “Officers have arrested two men following a report of a rape. A 19-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (20 April) on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape. A second 19-year-old man was arrested on Sunday (21 April) on suspicion of rape. Both men have since been released on police bail.”
The football club of the players reportedly suspended them in response to the situation. “As the matter is now in the hands of the police, the Football Club will not be making further comment at this stage,” stated a club spokeswoman to The Sun.
According to a source cited by the newspaper, police officers met with one of the football players in a private room upon arriving at the stadium. The player was reportedly apprehended that same evening after leaving the premises with another individual.
This incident is not the first time the Premier League has been involved in a police investigation related to allegations of rape. In October 2022, Mason Greenwood, a 22-year-old Manchester United striker, faced charges of assault, coercive behavior, and attempted rape. However, the case was later dropped in February 2023 due to the withdrawal of key witnesses. Greenwood denied all accusations against him.