Dyer denies involvement in alleged gang-rape
Dyer spoke out after two other footballers were arrested yesterday by detectives investigating the woman's allegation she was gang-raped by Premiership players.
In a statement issued through his lawyers to "set the record straight and put an end to the massive speculation", Dyer, aged 24, said his family had been hounded and "my reputation has been damaged in the most public way possible."
Mr Dyer said: "I had no involvement in this matter, let alone being 'at the centre of it' as suggested in emails, websites and elsewhere."
He said: "Until now I have felt trapped and it has been very frustrating that I have been unable to clarify publicly the facts which clearly exonerate me, whilst the police conduct their inquiries."
In a detailed statement, Mr Dyer said: "This whole matter has been very distressing for me."
The footballer, who is on international duty with the England squad in Turkey for a crucial Euro 2004 qualifier, added: "I recognise that the claims made by the woman involved are of the most serious nature, and warrant a thorough investigation, that is without doubt.
"I do not wish to trivialise these serious allegations. It is for this reason that I have not stated my position until now."
The footballers arrested yesterday, aged 22 and 19, attended two London police stations by appointment where they were arrested and remained in police custody, Scotland Yard said.
The older man was later released on police bail.
The arrests brought to four the number of men questioned about the allegations so far.
A 27-year-old man arrested on Thursday was bailed by police pending further inquiries. On Wednesday, party organiser Nicholas Meikle, aged 29, was arrested and bailed over the accusations after going voluntarily to a police station.
The teenager claims she willingly had sex with one man, but was then gang-raped by a group of others, including several Premiership footballers, at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane on September 27.
Mr Meikle, from Catford, south London, said on Wednesday the girl agreed to have sex with him. He claims she then consented to sex with one of his friends and two Premiership footballers from two different clubs and that at no stage was she raped.
Rumours about the identities of the football players allegedly involved have flooded the internet and circulated among fans but the media have so far not published their names.
Mr Dyer said: "Despite intense pressure, I have respectfully maintained a dignified silence whilst the police have been undertaking their initial investigations.
"I now feel its appropriate for me to set the record straight and put an end to the massive speculation."
He said after playing against Arsenal he went to the Grosvernor House Hotel on the night of September 26 at 11pm.
"I checked-in together with several other people and totally unbeknownst to me, the hotel entered the other peoples' rooms under my name."
He left the hotel again with friends at 11.30pm and went to Sketch nightclub, leaving at about 2.20am.
Mr Dyer said: "Unfortunately, the fact that my name was mistakenly attached to someone else's room has provoked wild speculation."
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