Cristiano Ronaldo's last-ditch fight to keep Las Vegas rape claim files secret

Cristiano Ronaldo's legal team have made a last-ditch bid to stop the release of files on his alleged rape in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Police have "determined" to release the papers that include details on the crime report, statements and warrants.

The Manchester United star, 36, has been accused of raping model Kathryn Mayorga in a penthouse suite 12 years ago.

He has emphatically denied the 37-year-old's claims.

Ronaldo's lawyers have filed a "motion for protective order" to keep the documents sealed and stop police from handing them to the New York Times.

They claim the 400 papers are privileged and contain "libellous" statements.

A judge has recommended Ms Mayorga's civil case against the star be thrown out after her lawyers failed to disclose files that were handed to them by hacker Football Leaks.

Ronaldo's attorneys say the proceedings are confidential and her lawyers "unlawfully" obtained the files, which were submitted to police in a failed bid to have the case reopened.

According to legal papers obtained by the Mirror, Ms Mayorga's team requested the New York Times or any third party does not receive the police files unless a judge rules they are privileged in court.

Her claims were settled out of court in 2009 when she got £375,000 from Ronaldo.

But in 2018 she launched an action to get the settlement overturned, arguing it was signed under duress.

It led to police reopening the probe into the claim but they declined to prosecute Ronaldo.

Ms Mayorga is pursuing the footballer through a Las Vegas court demanding £56million in damages and costs.

She claims she was sexually assaulted at Palms Casino Resort on June 13, 2009.

Ms Mayorga said she met the star at Rain nightclub and was among a group invited to his room. She claims he gave her clothes to use a hot tub.

Ms Mayorga then alleges that after asking to leave, the Portuguese star assaulted her.

After filing her claim in 2018, the star said: "I firmly deny the accusations issued against me.

"Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in."