Premiership star faces rape probe

Detectives are investigating claims that a Premiership footballer and a friend took turns to rape two women in a five-star hotel, it was reported today.

The unnamed star, reportedly a multimillionaire international, is alleged to have taken part in the attack in a £1,000 (€1,470)-a-night penthouse suite in central London.

The women have claimed the men raped them in the early hours of Sunday after meeting them in a nightclub.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “We can confirm police are investigating allegations of serious sexual assault at a location in central London in the early hours of Sunday.”

The Sun reported that the footballer could not be named for legal reasons and that police had yet to identify his friend.

According to the newspaper the player has yet to discover he is the subject of a rape inquiry as police are still deciding whether to pursue a case against him.

Forensic officers were said to have sealed off the penthouse in the hunt for clues and the whole floor was reportedly emptied of guests.

Officers also visited the nightspot where the footballer met the women to collect CCTV footage and interview staff, according to The Sun.

Scotland Yard’s specialist sexual assault unit Operation Sapphire is investigating the rape claims and statements have been taken from the women.