wtf? "EIGHT PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS FACE RAPE INQUIRY"

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from the guardian's football news email today

"Detectives were today investigating an allegation that a group of
Premiership footballers sexually assaulted a teenager at a top London
hotel. The 17-year-old girl reported the alleged attack to police in
central London at the weekend, Scotland Yard said.

The girl told police she consented to sex with a player from one
Premiership club - but seven other footballers from another
Premiership club then forced themselves on her. "We can confirm that
the Metropolitan Police Service have received an allegation of rape
from a 17-year-old female," said a Scotland Yard spokesperson. "At
this stage it would be inappropriate to comment further."

No players or clubs have been named by the police in connection with
the allegation. None of the Premiership clubs contacted today were prepared to comment. "

― robin (robin), Monday, 29 September 2003 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Reports say it happened on Saturday night.

[Speculation as to who removed for now - has been saved by moderator and will be restored ASAP.]

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Monday, 29 September 2003 15:58 (twenty-one years ago)

whoever it was its fairly fucked up

― robin (robin), Monday, 29 September 2003 17:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Assuming it isn't an audacious trumped-up accusation of the Neil and Christine Hamilton variety, of course, which isn't impossible. If it is true, it's major, major crisis time for the club in question (not necessarily a London club) and for that matter football in general - blows even Woodgate/Bowyer out of the water.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 29 September 2003 17:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Assuming it isn't an audacious trumped-up accusation of the Neil and Christine Hamilton variety, of course, which isn't impossible.

Actually, that was my first thought when I read the story. Rape certainly isn't something to make light about, so I hope the accuser isn't making it up. If she isn't, footie reputation just landed deeper in the dump.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Monday, 29 September 2003 18:44 (twenty-one years ago)

If it was a club visiting London over the weekend then *89y4789y7834yt6* would be an obvious possibility. But I agree with Matt and Nichole - this is going to be grim if it's true.

― James Ball (James Ball), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 08:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Wasn't this actually a storyline in Holyoaks a couple of years ago? When the blonde one shagged all the footballers in one ngiht and then held the one she was engaged to for ransom over it? It's perillously close to that. Whoever was involved (assuming it's not fabrication) must be unbelievably stupid. Careers and lives are going to be ruined.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 08:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Be careful in this thread - all the rivals football messageboards have been taken offline as a result of the fevered speculation and most footbvall messageboards have been contacted to say 'do not talk about this one'. Rivals being offline is quite good though, as it's generally full of 12 years olds who simply say that UR ALL GAY!!!!LOL!!

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 08:34 (twenty-one years ago)

This news story is pretty harsh either way.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 08:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Good point Dave - if there's a moderator about could you remove my previous post please (even if I'm probably suggesting the wrong club.)

― James Ball (James Ball), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 08:39 (twenty-one years ago)

yea, i noticed a couple boards were down yesterday, i assumed because of this. its not going to stay hidden for long though. most people seem to be assuming it is exactly the team you would expect this from though

― ... (gareth), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 08:41 (twenty-one years ago)

(Thanks Mr Moderator)

― James Ball (James Ball), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 08:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I've edited DJ M's post for similar reasons - it's all been saved by me though so can be restored if/when it all goes public.

― Tom (Groke), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 08:56 (twenty-one years ago)

It's like teasers the way the British press gives out these blind items.

― Mary (Mary), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 09:09 (twenty-one years ago)

most people seem to be assuming it is exactly the team you would expect this from though

HMMMMMM....

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 11:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Lots of recent signings who haven't had time to buy houses yet, living in hotels? Not playing 90 minutes of every match and thus having lots of excess energy and competetive testosterone in their systems? Hmmm...

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 12:00 (twenty-one years ago)

My initial reaction to this was to wonder if it was an attempt to make money/gain celebrity etc but some of the details now make me suspect there's substance to it (she admits consensual sex with one player, she went straight to the police and didn't involve the press, she's accusing only two players specifically of rape). None of which means that her story is true, but it's shifted the balance of probability in my mind.

My concern would be that even if she's telling the truth it may not be possible to get evidence to prove it. Without prejudging things, the most stomach-churning thought is of this girl watching her rapists gloat in the media as their names are "cleared" and she is discredited as a liar.

― ArfArf, Tuesday, 30 September 2003 12:06 (twenty-one years ago)

BBC site says that the police are studying Grosvenor CCTV footage at the moment so they should at least be aware of which (in any) players were in the room at the time.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 12:12 (twenty-one years ago)

according to what i read she went to the police SIXTEEN hours later (may be classed as 'straight away' compared to the delay in which many rape cases are reported for whatever reason but still makes you think)

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 12:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I dunno, I'm trying not to think, generally. But what does it make you think, the sixteen hour thing? Cos I heard it was only nine and a half.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 13:17 (twenty-one years ago)

And now my mate's saying EIGHTEEN! Dammit. I'm having trouble figuring this chick out.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 13:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't believe these sorts of numbers really affect the credibility of her story one way or another, to be honest.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 13:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Aye.

― Eyeball Kicks (Eyeball Kicks), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 13:31 (twenty-one years ago)

isn't the time between the incident happening and the time it is reported often one of the key factors in the case for the defence tho? not suggesting anything more other than that tho.

matt will you please reply to my e-mails btw!

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry - entire work email tits-up at the moment (ie send whatever you're sending to runmdc@graffiti.net).

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Not that I read it, but I saw on the cover of the Daily Sport that they've named the players. I can't believe they have, but if anyone wants to check...

(these players would have to be stupid to the point of pre-sapiens to allow themselves to be involved with a rape. Perhaps a drunken "cheering your mate on" thing got out of hand and the girl got the fear?)

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 30 September 2003 15:13 (twenty-one years ago)

surely it's not a question of allowing themselves to get involved, I mean they hardly sat around discussing it with tea first.

It's a pretty disturbing allegation. Doesn't bear thinking about really.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Really mark? Any definite confirmations?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:36 (twenty-one years ago)

It said on the news yesterday that the players had been named "all over the internet", I heard somewhere which club was involved aswell, there seems to be no real argument about that.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:37 (twenty-one years ago)

So i guess that nobody is gonna put their names here (which is prolly the best idea) but where are their names posted? I am just curious to find out who has been accused.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:38 (twenty-one years ago)

www.thenamesoftheplayersinvolvedinthisdisturbingincidentrevealed.co.uk

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:45 (twenty-one years ago)

The club I'm thinking of has a number of very nasty players indeed, was down in London over the weekend with a long journey home and ample time for a chaotic binge in the city.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:48 (twenty-one years ago)

That's the club lots of people are thinking of. I would concur.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I don' really think the (quite small) time delay between incident and reporting is anything to go by. Obviously, thank God, I don't know what I'd actually do in this situation, but I imagine I'd probably go to my mother/ close female friend first and then go to the police with them.

I think the whole thing seems all too credible and my heart goes out to her.

― Anna (Anna), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:50 (twenty-one years ago)

What's more they've bought some of the nastiest nasty players lately.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Anna OTM - bearing in mind these are (possibly) some of the most famous people in Britain, its pretty easy to imagine why she'd be too scared/shocked to go to the police straight away. In fact, it's surprising she went as quickly as she did.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Still no idea, but i'll just wait & see like everyone else I guess.
Anna I agree, I really dont think it has any relevance. I should imagine you have a million & one thoughts going thru your head & thinking straight is something we'd all like to think we'd do, but in reality would probably be very different.

Ronan - you are so hilarious. No really, you are.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 09:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, it did make me laugh! ;-)

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 10:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Perhaps we could have some kind of bonus in the next round of Premiership Predictions?

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 10:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Ronan made me laugh not the situ.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 10:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks for the text that put an end to my curiosity! ;-)

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 10:19 (twenty-one years ago)

pj miller you'll be docked 10 points for bad taste (not really)

i do agree about the time delay not being an issue in this case - makes sense, but that's the kind of thing that gets a big deal made of it i should imagine.

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 10:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I am 8o% certain 1 know the playaz involved in this, from piecing together private messages sent by users of other boards and all the 'F0AF works for the Met etc comments'. The clincher was something I heard was said today by the s0n of a Pr3m1er5hip Club Chair which also made me want to punch said son if I ever saw him, which I doubt will ever happen.

― Regular poster, Wednesday, 1 October 2003 10:44 (twenty-one years ago)

So Matt DC was right then. A club with VERY nasty players.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 11:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I've now heard the same names from about 4 different sources. Shit, meet fan.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 11:27 (twenty-one years ago)

(regular poster - you forgot to log out, if you're really worried about anonymity you might want to get a mod to sort that?)

― toby (tsg20), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 11:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Shit, meet fan. = ???
You think you know who Nick?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 11:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm pretty confident. It makes a sad kind of sense. I think we just need a Matthew Wright figure to blurt it out.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 11:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Could a mod pls correct error mentioned by Toby?

― Regular poster, Wednesday, 1 October 2003 11:37 (twenty-one years ago)

No problem Calum.

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 11:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 39 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

The prejudicing the trial thing is the key point. I have a very open mind on any case like this - and would hate not to be on the jury just because of you horrible lot.

― Pete (Pete), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

there is no anonymity for defendants in rape cases unless naming the defendant or defendants could lead to identification of the victim.

only another rumor of course, but I've seen it claimed that the victim was previously acquainted with some of the players, so naming potential defendants could lead to her being identified. (also: There have been no charges, right? The media certainly can't go around naming names at this point then, I wouldn't think.)

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

(actually, of course they can, they just run risk of libel as Anna mentioned.)

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 15:13 (twenty-one years ago)

No, they're okay as long as they're "helping the police with enquiries". Speculation and no police involvement is libellous though. As soon as the case becomes active (someone is arrested, orally charged, police start man hunt etc) then you can only go on what the police say. As soon as it gets to court you're covered as long as the stuff you print was actually said in court.

Prejudice really is the key thing, and as soon as the case becomes active is where Contempt Of Court kicks in.

My brane hurts.

― Anna (Anna), Wednesday, 1 October 2003 15:23 (twenty-one years ago)

any new developments on this??

― Skottie, Friday, 3 October 2003 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

sad but true, the girl involved in this will get forgotten in the media frenzy.

Well, apparently not as I read on Teletext yesterday (can't find a link anywhere online though) that she has secured the services of Max Clifford. Hmmm....

Scotland on Sunday online named the team this morning - when g@@gling for the above, came across "News: ********* *** at centre of rape claim - Scotland on Sunday - 10 hours ago"

but when you click on the link, nothing.

― ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 5 October 2003 10:34 (twenty-one years ago)

This will be what I was looking for then.

― ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 5 October 2003 10:39 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...

Bramble and Cole are off the hook. Now there's a surprise.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 9 January 2004 11:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Wasn't is mentioned on the news that the girl involved may try to bring a civil claim?

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Friday, 9 January 2004 11:54 (twenty-one years ago)

the players' lawyers would have got straight on to it the moment it broke - "admit you had sex with her, make sure you all tell the same story, then it's four people's testimony against one and no case". i'm only amazed it took so long to reach the decision...

― legal man, Friday, 9 January 2004 21:06 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

For FUCK'S sake.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Friday, 5 March 2004 09:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Perhaps they are looking for a move to Newcastle, and the chance of playing in Europe. That nice old Bobby Robson seems on a mission to sign all of the most unsavoury players around.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Friday, 5 March 2004 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

The Sun reports today that a "young Premiership footballer" is being investigated by police in relation to two rape allegations.

Who is it, then?

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 01:11 (nineteen years ago)

Danny Murphy, says someone in my office who claims to know about these things.

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 06:30 (nineteen years ago)

But apparently that was just idle speculation and he's no better informed than the rest of us. So maybe if someone would like to delete that message before we all get sued for libel...

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 06:59 (nineteen years ago)

Oh, but a more reliable source tells me it's Christiano Ronaldo of the MU Glazerballs.

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 07:07 (nineteen years ago)

...and since the Boston Redsocks were playing Fulham on Saturday, that would give a reason for Ronaldo being in "a London hotel"...

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 08:09 (nineteen years ago)

Remember Mark Ward? Jailed for eight years yesterday. 4kg of cocaine in his house.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4308414.stm

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 08:48 (nineteen years ago)

oh no i hope it's not the first person h.s. said. he's doing well in my fantasy team! the second guy i hope isn't either aw i love the little feet thing he does

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 09:52 (nineteen years ago)

Someone in my office says it's Ronaldo, too.

― Nobody, Wednesday, 5 October 2005 10:15 (nineteen years ago)

they probably read it on ILX.

― Pete W (peterw), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 10:49 (nineteen years ago)

News here

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 11:00 (nineteen years ago)

Kieran Richardson?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 11:10 (nineteen years ago)

on international duty???

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 11:12 (nineteen years ago)

'rape storm'?

― Mädchen (Madchen), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 11:14 (nineteen years ago)

the dirty dirty rain

― ken c (ken c), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 11:15 (nineteen years ago)

Twinkletoes is a rapist? I never would have thunk it.

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 12:55 (nineteen years ago)

Alleged rapist. Sometimes the people embroiled are falsely accused of such things.

― Sociah T Azzahole (blueski), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 12:58 (nineteen years ago)

Danny Murphy, says someone in my office who claims to know about these things

I hope not, I've just transferred him to my fantasy football team. He's hardly 'young' is he?

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 13:04 (nineteen years ago)

He's also not 'currently on international duty'.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 13:06 (nineteen years ago)

And he doesn't play for Manchester United.

― Teh HoBB (the pirate king), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 13:14 (nineteen years ago)

But apart from that, he fits the bill

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 13:28 (nineteen years ago)

Isn't "currently being investigated for rape" the only bit that's left?

Oh.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 13:33 (nineteen years ago)

Not the first time he's been caught fannydangling...

http://www.cybersaps.org/images/static/images/CT/Ronaldo.gif

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Thursday, 6 October 2005 14:21 (nineteen years ago)

haha

http://www.redissue.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=244867

― 400% Nice (nordicskilla), Thursday, 6 October 2005 14:26 (nineteen years ago)

Sky News have just named him as Ronaldo.

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 14:08 (nineteen years ago)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4357914.stm

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 14:44 (nineteen years ago)

Blimey, I thought he seemed a bit distracted yesterday.

― Matt (Matt), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 14:45 (nineteen years ago)

there have been plenty of rape allegations over the last few years, but have any of them actually been found guilty?

― Vicky (Vicky), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 14:47 (nineteen years ago)

I read something the other day which quoted Twinkletoes as saying "I had nothing to do with that woman", then later said his defence would rest on the question of consent.

Police are also looking into claims the alleged victim tried to flog her story to the tabs before going to the police.

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 14:55 (nineteen years ago)

A penthouse suite in a plush hotel apparently.

If he was desperate for a shag, why didn't he hire an escort ? he could easily afford it.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 15:34 (nineteen years ago)

So could that Kennedy who practically owned shares in Rohypnol.

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 15:59 (nineteen years ago)

What's sex got to do with rape? It's getting your rocks off through the power of forced sex, rather than the sex itself.

― Dave B (daveb), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 16:04 (nineteen years ago)

The News of the World delivers the astonishing inside story on the sex scandal that has engulfed soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.
For the first time we can reveal how the Manchester United ace dramatically confessed to police that he enjoyed a "roasting" sex romp with the two girls who accused him of rape.
But Ronaldo, 20, swore it was all done with their consent. He told detectives his cousin was also there in his London hotel room and had sex with one of the girls.

He then described how they all went clubbing together afterwards.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_pages/news/news1.shtml

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Saturday, 22 October 2005 22:36 (nineteen years ago)

who doesn't love a good sunday roast?

i'm surprised the newspapers are allowed to reveal these things, wouldn't that ruin the case?

― ken c (ken c), Sunday, 23 October 2005 07:59 (nineteen years ago)

one month passes...

Ronaldo won't face charges - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4468628.stm

One of the two women withdrew her allegations and there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.

How responsible is Christiano Ronaldo for being falsely accused of rape?
a. Totally responsible
b. Partly responsible
c. Not at all responsible

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Friday, 25 November 2005 12:26 (nineteen years ago)

don't know what actually happened.

― Theorry Henry (Enrique), Friday, 25 November 2005 12:33 (nineteen years ago)

Whatever it was, it happened - the police just don't have enough evidence to prosecute him.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Saturday, 26 November 2005 01:06 (nineteen years ago)

two months pass...

Three Premiership players have been questioned by police after two women claimed they were raped at a hotel.
The Portsmouth footballers were spoken to by officers after the women, who are in their early 20s, alleged they were sexually assaulted in a hotel room.
It is believed the women went back to the city's Ibis Hotel early on Saturday.
They then reported the alleged attack on Saturday afternoon.
Police sealed off two 50pound-a-night rooms at the hotel as part of its investigation into the claims.
The players, who have not been named by police or the club, have not been arrested and have only made witness statements.
They were spoken to by detectives on yesterday.
The rooms have now been examined by police to try to find out whether an attack took place.
Hampshire Police spokeswoman Meline Turkington today confirmed that three Portsmouth players had been spoken to by detectives.
But she confirmed they were not in the hotel room at the time of the alleged attack.
She said: "We have spoken to three players who have given witness statements. We don't identify witnesses.
"They haven't been arrested in connection with this at this time.
"We do not believe the players were in the room at the time of the alleged assault." Portsmouth players were on a break at the weekend as there was no match this Saturday due to FA cup fixtures.
The club said they were not identifying the players and were liaising closely with the police.
Helen Wood, spokeswoman for Portsmouth Football Club, said: "The players are giving witness statements, that's what it amounts to.
"For the moment that's pretty much it.
"They are witnesses not suspects. We do know (the identity of the players) but we won't disclose it at this time.

"We are liaising closely with the police." The investigation is being led by detectives at Portsmouth CID.

― Hello Sunshine (Hello Sunshine), Monday, 20 February 2006 12:56 (nineteen years ago)

three months pass...

Not strictly connected, but Dyer arrested for indecent exposure.

― Teh HoBBercraft (the pirate king), Thursday, 25 May 2006 19:36 (nineteen years ago)

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