A Premier League player accused of rape has been released from bail, but remains under investigation, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.
The star, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was first investigated in July 2022 when he was arrested at an address in Barnet.
Initially on bail until October 2022, it has been consistently pushed back and was due to run out this month.
However, the Athletic report that the player has ‘instead been released under investigation (RUI) whilst further enquiries are carried out’, rather than see his bail extended yet again.
Still playing regularly for his club and a feature at the 2022 World Cup, his case appears no closer to being over.
What is the difference between RUI and Bail?
As per the Athletic, ‘With bail, a specific date is set for a person to return to a police station. Under RUI, there isn’t a set date’, meaning that the investigation could now take far longer to come to a head.
“On 4 July 2022, an allegation of rape of a woman in her 20s was reported to police.
“It was reported the alleged rape happened in June 2022. On 4 July 2022, a man was arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody.
“While in custody, he was further arrested on suspicion of two incidents of rape that were alleged to have been committed in April and June of 2021 against a different woman in her 20s.
“In February 2023, the man was interviewed under caution for a sexual offence alleged to have taken place in February 2022. This relates to a third victim and was reported to police in July 2022.
“No further action will be taken in relation to the alleged offence in June 2021 because the relevant legislation had not yet come into effect at the time it is said to have occurred.
“This has been explained to the complainant who continues to be supported by officers.
“The man was bailed until August 2023. He was subsequently released under investigation whilst further enquiries are carried out.”
