By Grâçia Ada Obi
An investigation into an allegation of rape against a former Premier League and international footballer at an upmarket London hotel has been dropped.
Scotland Yard held the 24-year-old at Corinthia Hotel in Whitehall Place, Westminster, last week after an alleged victim raised the alarm with receptionists.
However, the player – who has played for several English clubs as well as his own country at youth and senior levels – will face no further action.
“A 24-year old man was arrested at 9.53am on Wednesday, October 9 at an address on Whitehall Place, SW1A, following an allegation of rape,” the Met Police said in an updated statement on Monday morning.
“Police were called to the Corinthia London after the woman alerted the receptionist. He was taken into custody and bailed. The case has since been closed with no further action.”
It was report that the player, who was born overseas, had been arrested. A young woman alerted the front desk of the five-star hotel on Wednesday morning after meeting the player at a central London bar.
The suspect had been taken to Charing Cross police station before the case was eventually dropped. It is understood he denied rape. Police carried out a forensic examination of the suspect’s room and are examining CCTV footage.
It will recalled that the complainant, reported to be in her 20s, provided a statement to specialist police officers.
“She met the player in a bar and agreed to go back to his hotel, where he had booked into earlier.”
However, the next morning “the woman went to the front desk at the hotel and was said to have been very distressed”. “Police were called and officers arrived and arrested him at the hotel,” the source said. “He was then led out to the amazement of guests and staff.”
