Ronaldo avoids prosecution over rape allegation

Cristiano Ronaldo will not face prosecution over allegations of sexual assault in Las Vegas 10 years ago, lawyers say.

The Clark County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday it “will decline to prosecute” a sexual assault allegation made in 2009.

The Portuguese forward was accused in September of sexually assaulting American woman Kathryn Mayorga in a hotel room in Las Vegas in June 2009 – a claim he denied.

Ronaldo, 33, said rape was “an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in”.

The investigation was originally closed in 2009 but reopened days before Ms Mayorga filed a civil lawsuit in September.

The civil case is still open against the footballer.

A statement from the Clark County attorney’s office said: “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.

“Therefore, no charges will be forthcoming.”