Portugal head coach Fernando Santos and Juventus have both offered unwavering support to Cristiano Ronaldo after the five-time Ballon d Or winner firmly denied a rape allegation.
Kathryn Mayorga has accused Ronaldo of sexual assault in a hotel in Las Vegas in 2009.
Ronaldo called the claims fake news before issuing a further statement on social media in which he strenuously denied the allegations and called rape an abominable crime .
Juventus posted on Twitter on Thursday offering their support to Ronaldo, who joined the Serie A champions from Real Madrid in July.
Cristiano Ronaldo has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus, the club said in a statement.
The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion.
. Ronaldo has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus. 1/1
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)
The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion. 2/2
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)
Las Vegas police this week reopened an investigation into an alleged sexual assault from the same year as Ms Mayorga s allegation, but they have not named either the victim or any suspects.
Ms Mayorga s attorneys held a news conference on Wednesday in which they outlined the emotional impact they say their client has suffered as a result of her alleged assault.
German publication Der Spiegel first reported the claims, prompting Ronaldo to stress his innocence.
I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me, he posted on Twitter. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.
My clear conscious [sic] will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations.
I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in. Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano)
My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano)
Santos did not include Ronaldo in his squad for Portugal s upcoming matches against Poland and Scotland, announced on Thursday, the captain having also been absent for last month s games against Italy and Croatia.
The Portugal coach did not explicitly confirm the reasons for Ronaldo s omission, although when questioned in the news conference he also offered support to Ronaldo over the rape allegation.
I believe in what the player said, two or three days ago, he considers rape an abominable act, Santos told reporters.
“He s said that, again and again, that he s innocent and has nothing to do with it, with what he s being accused of.
I know Ronaldo pretty well, so I believe completely in what he says. I know he wouldn t commit such a crime. I don t believe that.
