Premier League club of arrested player knew of rape allegation last autumn

The player continued to play in the first team last season.

The club of the Premier League footballer arrested on suspicion of rape this week was reportedly made aware of the allegation against him last autumn. The player - who cannot be named for legal reasons - continued to play in the first team last season, the Guardian reported. He was released on bail on Tuesday until August after being taken into custody by the Metropolitan police in the early hours of Monday. Scotland Yard said that it received an allegation of rape on July 4 that was said to have taken place the previous month. A 29-year-old man was then arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody. The man was further arrested on suspicion of two incidents of rape that were alleged to have been committed in April and June of 2021 against a different woman, also in her 20s. The man was released on bail as police continue to investigate. The footballer is internationally renowned and it is unclear whether he will now play in his club's pre-season fixture schedule. The Premier League season begins on August 5 and the player is also due to play at the World Cup in Qatar this November. Related links:

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• Premier League player arrested on suspicion of rape facing two more allegations
• Premier League player arrested on suspicion of rape