‘When concerns were raised about this card, we removed it immediately from our site’
Card retailer Moonpig has removed one of its cards featuring Cristiano Ronaldo after concerns were raised over its messaging.
Ahead of February 14, Moonpig used the footballer’s likeness alongside the message: “Nothing will stop me scoring this Valentine’s Day.”
But concerns over the word and image choices were raised as the Manchester United player has been accused of raping a woman in 2009. Ronaldo has always fervently denied the allegation, claiming they had consensual sex.
A Moonpig spokesperson told the Mirror: “It’s never our intention to upset anyone, we take pride in delighting our customers and go to great lengths to provide an exceptional range and service to them.
“When concerns were raised about this card, we removed it immediately from our site.”
In 2017, Ronaldo was accused of raping a woman in Las Vegas in 2009.
The 37-year-old and his legal team dubbed the accusations an “intentional defamation campaign.”
$375,000 was paid to the woman after she signed a non-disclosure agreement. In July 2019, Las Vegas prosecutors said they would not charge Ronaldo.
Ronaldo made a series of statements via Twitter, the first reading: “I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.”
I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) October 3, 2018
My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) October 3, 2018
In 2019, US authorities said they had decided not to prosecute Ronaldo on criminal charges. A statement from Las Vegas prosecutors said: “Based upon a review of information at this time, the allegations of sexual assault against Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
A civil case remains ongoing, with reports suggesting the lawsuit totals £56 million.
Related Links:
- Cristiano Ronaldo denies sexual assault allegations in Instagram video
- Las Vegas police confirm warrant issued to obtain Cristiano Ronaldo’s DNA
- Cristiano Ronaldo releases statement firmly denying rape allegations
