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Cristiano Ronaldo held on rape charge

October 19, 2005 22:58 IST

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of rape and is being questioned by police, according to reports.

The 20-year-old Portuguese international was called to a police station by officers from Scotland Yard's Operation Sapphire team, which investigates sex crime, following allegations made by a woman, who claims she was seriously sexually assaulted in a penthouse suite at the Sanderson Hotel in central London on October 2, said Press Association.

Scotland Yard said two men were questioned in connection with the allegation.

One of them, said be in his 30s, was released. The other, in his 20s, was arrested and detained.

Scotland Yard declined to identify the two men or give any other information relating to the allegations, Press Association added.

"We're not commenting at the moment," Manchester United director of communications Phil Townsend said.

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