Premier League club knew of rape allegation against player 'last autumn'

The Premier League club of a footballer arrested earlier this week in connection with three rape accusations were aware of an allegation last autumn, according to reports.

The player, who cannot be named for legal reasons, still appeared for the club after they were informed of an accusation made against him, the Guardian claim. His club have declined to comment.

The 29-year-old has been released on bail until a date in August while police continue to make enquiries.

The player's initial arrest was in connection to an alleged rape that occurred in June. A woman in her 20s reported it to the police on Sunday. It is alleged that the incident took place in the Mediterranean.

The two additional counts are in relation to a different woman in her 20s and the incidents are alleged to have taken place in April and June of last year.

A Metropolitan Police statement released on Tuesday afternoon read: "On 4 July, an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police. It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022."

The statement added: "While in custody, he 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 in her 20s. He has subsequently been released on bail to a date in August. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing."

The Premier League season gets underway on 5 August and the player had also been expected to represent his country at the World Cup in Qatar this winter.