Robinho protests his innocence over 'rape' allegation

The Premier League's most expensive star, Brazilian striker Robinho, has protested his innocence after being arrested over an allegation that he sexually assaulted a teenager in a nightclub.

Robinho, 25, who has allegedly given a routine DNA sample to police, was held and questioned after an undergraduate student claimed she was attacked in the early hours of the morning.

The pretty student, who attends a university in Yorkshire, alleged that she was assaulted by the player at Space nightclub in Leeds.

She made her complaint to police the following afternoon.

Robinho's spokesman, Chris Nathaniel, said: "Robinho has met the police, as prearranged, as part of a criminal investigation. He strenuously denies any allegations of wrong-doing or criminality and is happy to co-operate with the police if required further."

Detectives had hoped to question the player, whose real name is Robson de Souza, after Manchester City's training camp in Tenerife the week after the alleged attack.

But they were forced to wait after Robinho flew to Brazil citing "family reasons," thought to be his 25th birthday party.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has promised to fine him for leaving the training camp, although it is understood that the circumstances of his trip and whether it was sanctioned by the club are the subject of dispute.

On his return to the UK the player was questioned by detectives at a scheduled appointment and then released on bail.

Space nightclub, the entrance to which is down a dingy alleyway, holds about 800 people and has no VIP area.

Others who saw Robinho there on the night of the alleged attack said he attended with a group of friends which included other players.

Witnesses said door security staff failed to recognise the star, who earns £160,000-a-week, and refused to let him in because he was wearing a tracksuit.

He made no protest and went back to his hotel to get changed before returning to the nightclub.

Management then roped off part of the club for his group which ordered champagne, much of which they distributed to other people nearby.

Before leaving in the early hours the player told staff he had a very enjoyable night and left a £400 tip for the waiter who brought him his drinks.

Members of staff said he was "very down to earth".

Robinho moved to Manchester City from Real Madrid last September for a British record fee of £32.5 million.

But since he first lit up the Brazilian league in 2002 his career has been accompanied by reports of his fondness for a party.

In Oct 2007 he fell out with England's current football coach Fabio Capello, then Robinho's boss at Real Madrid, after he was late returning from international duty having been seen in a nightclub.

He was back in training on Wednesday at Manchester City's Carrington training complex ahead of the club's game against Newcastle, in which he was expected to play.

Robinho was smuggled into training under a blanket but later smiled as he was given a group pat on the back by team-mates.

A Manchester City insider said: "The whole team is backing Robinho and he is very grateful for the support he has been given. He was very touched by messages of support in particular from his Brazilian team-mates.

"Everyone just hopes this investigation won't impinge on his football. He has nothing to hide."

From: Telegraph.co.uk