Premier League player who was arrested for rape 'can fulfil job commitments' say club
By The Athletic UK Staff
13 July 2022 Updated 14:34 BST
Premier League player who was arrested for rape 'can fulfil job commitments' say club.
The Premier League club whose player has been arrested on suspicion of rape has told The Athletic it is not suspending him.
The footballer was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of rape and then re-arrested for allegedly committing two more attacks on a different woman. He denies the allegations.
Despite Mason Greenwood being suspended by his club, Manchester United, after he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault and another club suspending a player after he was arrested on suspicion of committing child sex offences, this club, who like the player we cannot name for legal reasons, is not taking the same step.
Yves Bissouma, then of Brighton and now of Tottenham, was not suspended by his club when he was arrested alongside a man in his 40s under suspicion of sexual assault in Brighton last October.
He has since been cleared of the allegation.
Benjamin Mendy, of Manchester City, who has denied nine sexual offences against six women, played for his club until he was charged by police.
The player, who is in his late twenties but cannot be named for legal reasons, was first arrested in north London on suspicion of rape and taken into custody. He was subsequently released on bail.
The player's club said in a statement to The Athletic: “We are aware of the allegations which are currently the subject of a police investigation.
“We have confirmed that the player denies the allegations and is on police bail pending the outcome of their enquiries. There have been no charges laid and the player can fulfil his professional commitments including permitted travel.
“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 club's decision not to suspend the player in question comes while Greenwood remains suspended by United following his arrest on suspicion of rape, assault and threats to kill.
Greenwood was originally arrested on January 30 on suspicion of rape and assault. He was further arrested for sexual assault and threats to kill two days later. He remains on bail following a hearing in June.
A third Premier League club suspended a player last season after he was arrested on suspicion of committing child sex offences. He has since left the club.