Following the widespread accusations of sexual assault and harassment across several professions, here is a list of seven sports figures who have, at one time or another, been accused of sexual assault and/or rape.
Neymar Jr., the Brazilian soccer star, was charged with raping a woman on May 15, 2019, in her hotel room in Paris. He refuted the charge in an Instagram post.
Ched Evans, a former Sheffield United striker, was charged with raping a 19‑year‑old drunk girl. He served a five‑year prison sentence before being released in 2014 and joining League One side Chesterfield. Although he was later cleared of the rape charge, the false accusations had already damaged his reputation.
Benjamin Mendy, once one of Manchester City’s headline signings, saw his reputation and career suffer after allegations about his interactions with women emerged last year. The left‑back is accused of raping four women on seven separate occasions and assaulting another woman. After 134 days in detention, he was released on bail and suspended by the club.
Mason Greenwood of Manchester United faced allegations of raping and assaulting his ex‑girlfriend. The accusations became public when his ex‑girlfriend posted Instagram stories showing signs of abuse on her body, along with distressing audio of Greenwood coercing her. A statement from Greater Manchester Police noted that a 20‑year‑old man arrested on suspicion of rape, assault and making threats to kill on 30 January 2022 remains on bail, and that no further updates will be provided until the suspect is charged or released.
At the peak of his career in 1991, renowned boxer Mike Tyson dealt with a rape charge. He was found guilty of raping 18‑year‑old Desiree Washington, a Miss Black Rhode Island contestant, and was sentenced to six years in prison and four years of probation. Tyson was released in 1995 after serving three years, continued boxing, and later appeared in movies such as *The Hangover*.
Robinho, a former striker for Real Madrid and AC Milan, was found guilty of sexual assault in 2013 and received a nine‑year prison term from a Milan court.
Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint‑Germain defender who helped Morocco reach the World Cup semi‑finals last year, was charged with rape on Friday. The 24‑year‑old was questioned by prosecutors after accusations were made by a 24‑year‑old woman whose identity has not been disclosed.
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