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Topics: Premier League, Football
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Premier League, Football
The Metropolitan Police has issued a statement after passing a file of evidence about a Premier League footballer accused of rape to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The Telegraph first reported in July 2022 that 'prominent international footballer' had been arrested at a property in Barnet after a woman in her twenties had made an allegation of rape.
The player was taken into custody at the time and questioned over the allegations.
He was further arrested 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.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the unnamed player has been allowed to continue playing by his Premier League club on full pay.
This was despite opposition from women's groups and some politicians.
The Met Police is said to have been pursuing a 'lengthy and complex investigation' into multiple allegations of rape against the player.
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.
However, Police subsequently decided against taking further action in relation to the 2021 allegations.
On November 7 last year, the man attended a police station and was again questioned under caution as part of the investigation.
Scotland Yard had said that investigation remains ongoing, covering offences that took place between 2021 and 2023.
Now, police detectives have asked prosecutors to weigh up bringing potential charges against the player.
A Met Police spokesperson told the Telegraph: "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 player cannot be named for legal reasons and his Premier League club has never publicly commented on his arrest or the investigation.