PSG forward Neymar on Sunday strongly denied an accusation that he raped a woman at a Paris hotel last month.
According to a complaint filed with Sao Paolo police and reported by the UOL and GloboEsporte websites, the Brazil star is accused of “using violence to have sex with the victim without her consent.”
The unidentified woman, who lives in Brazil, met Neymar through Instagram, and after exchanging messages, the footballer invited her to visit him in Paris last month.
According to the complaint, Neymar arrived at the hotel apparently intoxicated, and he became aggressive and used violence to have sex with the victim without her consent.
A statement issued by Neymar’s management on his website said the 27-year-old forward completely denied the allegations made against him.
“Although he was surprised by the news, the facts were already known to the player and his staff, considering that a few days ago he was the victim of an attempted extortion, practiced by a lawyer from Sao Paulo who said he represented the interests of the alleged victim,” read the statement.
“The player’s lawyers were immediately notified and have since taken all appropriate steps.
“We completely repudiate the unjust accusations and, above all, the exposure in the press of an extremely negative situation.
“All evidence of attempted extortion and non-rape will be submitted to the police authorities in a timely manner.”
Neymar’s father, who is also his agent, denied the accusations in an interview with Brazilian broadcaster Bandeirantes.
“This is not true, he has never committed any crime,” he said, arguing that his son was a victim of blackmail. “We have all the evidence and we already gave everything to the lawyers.”
“My son can be accused of many things, but I know what kind of man he is … it’s clear that this was a trap,” he said, adding that the WhatsApp messages released by the player would exonerate him.
