Robinho denies sex assault claim

BRITAIN’S most expensive footballer Robinho returned to training yesterday after being quizzed by detectives over an alleged serious sexual assault on a woman.

The Manchester City forward issued a statement denying any “wrongdoing or criminality” after he was arrested by police investigating the alleged incident in a Leeds nightclub earlier this month.

West Yorkshire Police began an investigation after a student claimed she had been attacked at The Space club in the early hours of January 14.

The small venue is in the heart of Leeds’s city centre night life and is popular with students.

The force said detectives arrested a man yesterday and he was later released on bail.

A statement posted on the Brazilian international’s official website said: “Robinho denies any allegation of wrongdoing or criminality and is happy to co-operate with the police.”

Robinho, whose full name is Robson de Souza, trained with his teammates yesterday at City’s Carrington training ground.

The 25-year-old joined Manchester City from Real Madrid in September for £32.5 million (€35.1m) — the biggest transfer deal in British history.

The move followed the £210 million takeover of the club by Sheikh Mansour in September.

Earlier this month the star left the team’s training camp in Tenerife for Brazil, citing an “important family matter”.