Impact Soccer

part 1

Arsenal star held over rape claim

Robin van Persie moved to London last year
Arsenal star Robin van Persie has been arrested in Holland on suspicion of rape, the Dutch authorities have said.
The 21-year-old striker was held on Monday following the alleged assault in the city of Rotterdam over the weekend.

The Public Prosecutor's Office of Reijnmond told BBC News police could hold the footballer for three days before charging or releasing him.

Van Persie moved to the north London club from Dutch side Feyenoord for £2.75m last summer.

Arsenal Football Club said it had no comment on the situation.

International debut

A spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office said: "Robin van Persie was arrested on Monday suspected of [a] rape incident that took place at the weekend.

"We cannot reveal any details of what happened as the Dutch legal system is different to that in England."

He can be held for three days, then a further 14 if a judge allows it. If convicted he would face a maximum sentence of 12 years.

Van Persie has hired Dutch lawyer Abraham Moszkowicz who said his client was innocent.

I can see myself staying at Arsenal for many years

Robin van Persie

Last season Van Persie made his senior international debut for Holland and scored 10 goals for Arsenal as they went on to win the FA Cup and finish runners-up in the Premiership.

At the weekend he stressed his desire to stay at Arsenal long-term and to learn from fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp.

"I can see myself staying at Arsenal for many years," he said.

"My contract has three years to run and, of course, we will have to see about it.

"I can learn a lot from Dennis and it is great he has signed a new contract."

part 2

Liverpool footballer Steve Finnan has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The defender, who played in the club's Champions League final win, was involved in a collision in his Range Rover which resulted in a man's death.

Henry Nelson, 81, from Liverpool, suffered serious head injuries in January and died five weeks later.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said a 29-year-old man from Liverpool had been bailed until 29 June.

International player

The accident happened in the Tuebrook area of the city on 27 January but Mr Finnan, a Republic of Ireland international, was not arrested until more than two months later.

The police spokeswoman said: "A 29-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on 11 April on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

"He was bailed pending further inquiries to appear at a police station on Wednesday, 29 June."

An inquest into Mr Nelson's death has been opened and adjourned until 4 July.

Mr Finnan, who originally comes from Limerick, started his career at non-league Welling before moving into league football with Birmingham and Notts County.

In November 1998 he was bought by Fulham for £600,000 before moving to Liverpool ahead of the 2003/04 season.

part 3

Best held over girl 'sex assault'


Football legend George Best has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of indecently assaulting a young girl.
The former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star is alleged to have attacked the girl, aged under 13, last month in Surrey.

His agent Phil Hughes said the claims were outrageous and totally unfounded.

Mr Best, 59, was questioned over the indecent assault claim when he was arrested on 9 June in connection with an alleged assault against a woman.

It is alleged that Mr Best punched a 34-year-old woman outside the home of his ex-lover, Gina Devivo, in Ewell, Surrey.




Decline of the golden boy

A spokeswoman for Surrey Police said: "We have received an allegation of indecent assault against a 59-year-old man who was arrested on 9 June."

The spokeswoman added the force was not prepared to discuss any further details of the investigation.

On Tuesday, Mr Hughes said: "George is totally innocent. We will defend this vigorously."

He said: "There have been so many lies printed about George that we have let slip through because you cannot sue everybody.

"But we will certainly be suing the people who made these allegations once we have proven his innocence."

'Hit hard'

He added: "You tell me George Best has done something like this and I would say 'absolutely not'."

Mr Hughes said that the former football star who had a liver transplant after years of alcohol abuse had been hit hard by the claims.

"It does not help him with trying to stay off the drink," he said.

Mr Best was questioned for nine hours at Staines police station before being freed on police bail.

He is due to return to a police station in Surrey for further questioning on 6 July.