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Trouble at Old Trafford
A party thrown by Rio Ferdinand reportedly led to a rape claim and the arrest of a Man U teammate.
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }AFP
December 20, 2007
LONDON (AFP) - A Manchester United player was released on bail Wednesday after being arrested following a rape allegation at the football team's Christmas party, reports said.
Greater Manchester police confirmed that a 19-year-old man had been released and bailed until February 23 pending further inquiries.
Defender Jonny Evans was detained Tuesday after presenting himself for questioning following the alleged incident involving a 26-year-old woman at a hotel in Manchester on Monday night, reports said.
if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object();window.yzq_d['dsk6INj8a4o-']='&U=13baeqcvl%2fN%3ddsk6INj8a4o-%2fC%3d631336.11901606.12349313.1806201%2fD%3dLREC %2fB%3d5074855';A police spokesman declined to confirm his identity, but he was named by the BBC and other media after the alleged incident at the trendy Great John Street Hotel.
Evans is a rising star at the club, having made three appearances this season, although he is not a first team regular. Last season he was on loan to Sunderland. He has also played eight times for Northern Ireland.
A spokesman for United, the reigning English Premier League champions, declined to comment. The United squad arrived as usual at their training ground Wednesday morning.
The alleged incident took place at 4:15 am (0415 GMT) Tuesday, at the end of a marathon party and drinking session which had begun during the day Monday, according to press reports.
The Manchester Evening News newspaper said the entire first team, apart from Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, were at the hotel.
The players had started partying at a casino while some had moved on to a pub before heading to the hotel in the evening.
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson had reluctantly agreed to the party, but warned the players to be on their best behaviour, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The invitation-only party was attended by some 150 people, including "dozens of models" but not the players' wives and girlfriends, the newspaper added.
The hotel was closed during the day Tuesday in the wake of the allegation but reopened in the evening. Police officers were seen taking three clear bags from the hotel.
A hotel spokesman said it was helping police with their investigations.
A party thrown by Rio Ferdinand reportedly led to a rape claim and the arrest of a Man U teammate.
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }AFP
December 20, 2007
LONDON (AFP) - A Manchester United player was released on bail Wednesday after being arrested following a rape allegation at the football team's Christmas party, reports said.
Greater Manchester police confirmed that a 19-year-old man had been released and bailed until February 23 pending further inquiries.
Defender Jonny Evans was detained Tuesday after presenting himself for questioning following the alleged incident involving a 26-year-old woman at a hotel in Manchester on Monday night, reports said.
if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object();window.yzq_d['dsk6INj8a4o-']='&U=13baeqcvl%2fN%3ddsk6INj8a4o-%2fC%3d631336.11901606.12349313.1806201%2fD%3dLREC %2fB%3d5074855';A police spokesman declined to confirm his identity, but he was named by the BBC and other media after the alleged incident at the trendy Great John Street Hotel.
Evans is a rising star at the club, having made three appearances this season, although he is not a first team regular. Last season he was on loan to Sunderland. He has also played eight times for Northern Ireland.
A spokesman for United, the reigning English Premier League champions, declined to comment. The United squad arrived as usual at their training ground Wednesday morning.
The alleged incident took place at 4:15 am (0415 GMT) Tuesday, at the end of a marathon party and drinking session which had begun during the day Monday, according to press reports.
The Manchester Evening News newspaper said the entire first team, apart from Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, were at the hotel.
The players had started partying at a casino while some had moved on to a pub before heading to the hotel in the evening.
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson had reluctantly agreed to the party, but warned the players to be on their best behaviour, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The invitation-only party was attended by some 150 people, including "dozens of models" but not the players' wives and girlfriends, the newspaper added.
The hotel was closed during the day Tuesday in the wake of the allegation but reopened in the evening. Police officers were seen taking three clear bags from the hotel.
A hotel spokesman said it was helping police with their investigations.
Updated on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2007 9:42 pm, EST