Premier League Player, 29, Arrested On Suspicion Of Rape Won’t Be Suspended By Club

The Premier League soccer player recently re-arrested on suspicion of rape will still be allowed to fulfill his commitments to the club. The player, who remains unnamed due to legal reasons, will be free to take part in the club’s pre-season preparations while he is out on bail. Believed to be in his late 20s, the player will enjoy a non-suspension decision as no charges have been filed against him. He was also granted a permit to travel while investigations are still ongoing.

According to the Mirror, the club released a statement acknowledging the current police investigations, saying that the player has denied all allegations. “There have been no charges laid and the player can fulfill his professional commitments including permitted travel,” the club said.

Meanwhile, club officials have declined to make any further comments on allegations that they had been aware of such rape accusations against the player last autumn. “We take our commitments and responsibilities seriously and have followed our safeguarding policies and procedures. We will keep this matter under close consideration and will review further if circumstances change."

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the status of their investigations last week as they validated his re-arrest while in custody due to two more incidents of rape pinned against him that supposedly took place in April and June of 2021. He was initially arrested earlier this month for the alleged rape of a different woman last June. With the Premier League season nearing its opening season on Aug. 5, the decision to allow him to play for the club and represent his country at the World Cup in Qatar is nothing new for the League.

Yves Bissouna, who played for Brighton at the time of his arrest last October on allegations of sexual assault, was also not suspended by the club. He was later cleared of the said allegations. A Manchester City player, Benjamin Mendy, continued to play for his club up until he was formally charged with nine sexual offenses on six women. He denied all accusations.

Questions have come about the club’s decision not to suspend the unnamed player while Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood was not given the same liberties after his arrest on suspicion of threats to kill, assault and rape. He is out on bail but remains indefinitely suspended.