A full file of evidence about a Premier League footballer accused of rape has been handed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) by the Metropolitan Police, according to reports.
The player, in his 30s, has continued to compete regularly on his full salary since first being arrested in July 2022. Now, the submission to the CPS means that detectives are asking prosecutors to consider bringing charges against him.
A Met Police spokesperson told The Telegraph: "Met officers are investigating following a number of reports of alleged sexual offences between 2021 and 2023.
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"A full file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and detectives continue to work with prosecutors. Those who have come forward to police continue to receive support from Met officers."
The player was first arrested when a woman in her 20s came forward. He was later arrested again over allegations of two rapes against a different woman in 2021.
Nearly two years ago, authorities interviewed the footballer under caution when an allegation of another sexual offence, relating to a third potential victim, was put forward. He was questioned under caution again as part of the police's ongoing investigation in November last year.
The suspect remains unnamed for legal reasons, and his club have never commented on the police investigation. But he is a prominent international on a huge wage, and the fact he has continued to earn his full salary throughout the process has sparked strong criticism from politicians and women's rights groups.
The Met Police investigation has reportedly been lengthy and complex, and Scotland Yard say it is ongoing.
In early November, when the player was interviewed for a second time, the Met Police said they were 'continuing with in-depth enquiries'. They added: "Those who have come forward to police continue to receive support from Met officers."
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Last year, the chairwoman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dineage, called for improvements in the way such cases are handled by clubs.
She said: "As part of the new regulator's role setting licensing conditions, we want to see it have the powers to take clubs to task for their approach and lack of progress when it comes to improving every aspect of equality, diversity and inclusion."
