Neymar denies he raped woman after allegations

World
Europe

PSG's Brazilian forward Neymar on Sunday denied raping a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her at a Paris hotel, with his father claiming he is the victim of blackmail.

According to a complaint filed with Sao Paolo police and reported by the UOL and GloboEsporte websites, the world's most expensive soccer player is accused of "using violence to have sex with the victim without her consent."

"I am accused of rape. It's a big word. It's very strong, but that is what has happened," Neymar said in a seven-minute video posted on Instagram.

"It surprised me. It is a really ugly thing and a sad thing because anyone who knows me knows what kind of person I am and knows I would never do such a thing."

Neymar pushes a training instrument during the Brazilian national soccer team's training session for Copa America, in Teresopolis, Brazil, June 1, 2019. /VCG Photo

Neymar, 27, then showed what he said was a long series of WhatsApp messages with the woman, including topless photographs of her in bed.

He added: "These are intimate moments but it is necessary to make them public to prove that nothing really happened."

The unidentified woman, who lives in Brazil, allegedly met Neymar through Instagram, and after exchanging messages, he invited her to visit him in Paris in mid-May.

Neymar celebrates with the champion's trophy after his team PSG surged to a 4-0 win over Dijon in the final Ligue 1 match of the season in Paris, France, May 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

According to the complaint, Neymar arrived at the hotel "apparently intoxicated," and the two chatted and exchanged "caresses."

But then "he became aggressive and used violence to have sex with the victim without her consent," the document said.

Neymar's father, who is also his agent, categorically denied the accusations in an interview with Brazilian broadcaster Bandeirantes.

"This is not true, he has never committed any crime," said Neymar Santos, arguing that his son was a victim of blackmail. "We have all the evidence and we already gave everything to the lawyers."

Neymar poses with the Red Bull's racing car RB15 on the grid before the start of the F1 Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

According to Neymar Santos, his son and the woman went on a date, but Neymar did not want to see her again. Since then, the woman has tried to extort money from the player and his family, he said.

"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.

According to the media reports, the accuser was in Paris from May 15 to 17, but waited until last Friday to file the complaint in Brazil because she was "emotionally shaken."

Source(s): AFP