Ferguson accused of indecent assault
The complaint was made by a woman in her 20s to police at Camps Bay Police Station in Cape Town at 10.45am yesterday.
Senior Superintendent of the South African Police Service Mary Martin-Englebrecht said the woman, believed to be from Cape Town, had "laid a charge of indecent assault against a well-known high-profile businessman from Britain. We know he is in the sports industry," she added. However, a police spokesman at Camps Bay confirmed that the allegation was against Ferguson.
Supt Martin-Englebrecht said that according to the complaint, the incident was alleged to have taken place in a car on the Waterfront an area that's home to hotels, nightclubs and recreational centres at 2am yesterday. The superintendent said investigations were ongoing.
"We are trying to trace witnesses to the alleged incident to take statements and gather evidence," she said. "Then on Monday we will present a docket to the Director of Public Prosecutions and he will decide whether the allegation will be dropped or if anyone can be charged.
Ferguson's legal representative, Alex Abercrombie, said the Scotsman denied any impropriety and that the complaint was groundless.
"He is most upset and very concerned that his family, and Manchester United, have to get embroiled in this."
Mr Abercrombie said Ferguson was confused by the complaint and couldn't think of any specific reason for it. United spokesman Paddy Harverson refused to discuss the allegations, adding: "We are not making any comment on the matter." Ferguson, 60, is in South Africa to observe a football academy run by United's ex-keeper Gary Bailey.The academy, which is a joint venture between amateur sides Vasco da Gama and Rygersdal, was set up earlier this year and caters for young talent from under 13 to under 17.
Manchester United have no game this weekend because of European championship qualifying matches taking place across Europe.
Ferguson, who was knighted in 1999 for his services to football, had planned to retire after last season but changed his mind and signed a three-year deal to stay through the 2004-2005 season.
