Ronaldo debut and Level Up

[nowwhat50]

As a football fan I'm really pleased to see this from Level Up, that it is being covered by mainstream media and even appearing/linked in the sports section of the BBC website.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-58528893

The cognitive dissonance always amazes me when someone who is a popular/talented/prolific sports star, actor or artist is able to still court mainstream media and be worshipped by fans, when they are caught up in such controversy.

For those not familiar with the case, I've attached a screen shot of CR's statement to his own legal team that was included in the NDA he signed. These are his words.

Thank you for posting this.

It's amazing that news bulletins are (quite rightly) talking about the Prince Andrew case, and then a few minutes later talking about Ronaldo with no mention of these rape allegations.

Just a bump so more people are aware.

Are those his words? Seems contradictory to him denying the allegations. He is admitting them in those words.

I've hated seeing all the fawning of him from utd fans.
But what I don't get it if those are his words why did the police say they couldn't prosecute him as there wasn't enough evidence? Do you have a link to the original article?

That is revolting, I hate that men like this can do what they want and still be treated like heros.

It reminds me of Ched Evans though, he was found guilty from his own testemony, but was aquitted when they managed to get enough people to give evidence that she was "the wrong type of victim".

The Athletic (subscription sports website) recently reported on this but you can't share it so I'll just give a summary. They reported:

“Based upon a review of the information presented at this time, the allegations of sexual assault against Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the Clark County District Attorney’s office. “Therefore, no charges will be forthcoming.”

The Athletic goes on to report that a spokesperson for the DA's office said that their inquiries had been hampered because the victim refused to 'identify him' [assume this refers to identifying him as the perpetrator] or say where the alleged attack occurred.

Apparently, Katherine Mayorga (who has now waived her right to anonymity) had earlier agreed to an out of court settlement. Now she has decided that she will bring a civil case against him and this is ongoing.

@nettie434 that's a good summary. She agreed to a settlement and NDA but now says she was too traumatised to be of sound mind to have agreed.

She first reported the alleged rape the day after it happened but did not name him, give her own details or the location. So potentially significant evidence was lost.

Many say she is just after more money. I genuinely believe she was too scared in the aftermath to know what the right thing to do was, he was/is so famous and powerful I can only imagine how scary and intimidating it must have been.

@purpleboy

I've hated seeing all the fawning of him from utd fans. But what I don't get it if those are his words why did the police say they couldn't prosecute him as there wasn't enough evidence? Do you have a link to the original article?

There's a few issues involved.

As pointed out in the athletic piece the initial complaint was made but no attacker of location was identified.
A settlement was paid and then many years later then victim was advised (correctly) that NDAs regarding criminal activity are not enforceable.
She issued civil proceedings and a criminal charge was considered but ultimately not brought.

The reasons the statement of Ronaldo may not have been enough to copper fasten a criminal charge are that firstly his lawyers deny that it is real

The statement came out as part of the football leaks operation and so it's in a bit of a grey area.
It's not been verified in any true way and his team have described it as a complete fabrication (although many have noted this also came with a threat to dye for defamation which was not followed up on)

If genuine, it was almost certainly obtained illegally. Rui pinto, the man credited with the football leaks operation, is currently on trial in Portugal.
It would also have some issues regarding legal privilege if genuine and would not be a discoverable document in the birthday course of civil proceedings or something that would have to be disclosed in a criminal trial so I'm not sure if the Vegas authorities could even consider it.

So it's one of those things that because of how it was revealed, and to be fair to Ronaldo he has denied it, that everyone knows about it but has to pretend when they put their official hats on that they don't know about it because it's unclear if it can be relied upon or is in anyway admissable

Ahh I see thanks mayor.

It makes me feel sick to see how many people are falling over themselves making him out to be some kind of god.
I came across her Twitter page and although I think it's a fake account, the comments to her were just vile. It's no wonder women don't report rape especially when it's someone famous as the backlash and abuse is huge.
The woman from the Ched Evans case had death threats and had to move to a different part of the country because of the abuse she received. It's utterly abhorrent the way these victims are treated.

I do think there is a wider problem in football. I am trying to word this carefully because there are several ongoing trials and obviously everyone charged has the right to a fair trial. These include a footballer charged with 4 counts of rape spread over several months, an ex player charged with coercive control and actual bodily harm, and a footballer on bail while accusations of sexually harassing a minor are investigated.

I agree that the woman in the Ched Evans case has been treated dreadfully. I think she has actually moved house multiple times and been forced to change her name. It feels like we are going backwards when details of women's lives are being used to imply they are not credible witnesses.

I do hope the women in the current ongoing cases get better treatment than the poor girl in the Ched Evens case and this one. In a post MeToo era, I can only hope.

m.independent.ie/world-news/cristiano-ronaldo-manchester-united-forward-sexual-assault-case-recommended-for-dismissal-by-las-vegas-court-40928301.html

The judge has recommended the civil case be dismissed as the documents discussed above would be legally privileged.