Neymar rape accuser gives police statement

World
Europe

A 26-year-old model who has accused Brazilian soccer star Neymar of raping her in a Paris hotel testified to Sao Paulo police for about six hours Friday, days after giving two television interviews detailing her allegations.

Najila Trindade Mendes de Souza arrived at the police station at midday, with her face covered by a black jacket as she was escorted by officers through a media scrum outside.

Neither she nor her lawyers disclosed what was said during the testimony but in an earlier interview with SBT television, she said Neymar became aggressive after she refused to have unprotected sex with him in the May 15 incident.

She also said the player had sexual intercourse with her despite her refusal and hit her repeatedly.

Najila Trindade de Souza, who accuses Brazilian soccer player Neymar of rape, is carried by her lawyer Danilo Garcia de Andrade after giving testimony in the police station in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 7, 2019. /VCG Photo

Neymar denies the accusation. He has yet to testify in the case.

The woman's dramatic appearance came a day after Neymar went to a Rio de Janeiro police station – sitting in a wheelchair after injuring his ankle in Wednesday's pre-Copa America friendly against Qatar.

He gave a statement in an investigation into his publication of intimate WhatsApp messages and photos of Trindade on social media without her consent.

Neymar leaves the police station after giving a statement on a rape accusation in Rio de Janeiro, June 6, 2019. /VCG Photo

Neymar told police that an assistant and a technician were responsible for sharing the messages and photos, TV Globo reported.

Meanwhile, Neymar's agents said on Friday that he and some of his sponsors had agreed to suspend some advertising campaigns amid the rape allegation.

On Thursday, Nike said it was "very concerned" about the rape accusation, raising questions about its sponsorship of one of the sport's most famous players.

The Brazilian forward is reportedly the third-highest-paid soccer player last year, making 90 million U.S. dollars, only behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

(With input from agencies)