Cristiano Ronaldo to claim Real Madrid PRESSURED him into signing a ‘hush-money’ deal with woman who claims he raped her, Portuguese media claims
Correio da Manha reported Cristiano’s defence strategy against the allegations would include the claim his former club had leaned on him to sign a deal ensuring the case never got to court
CRISTIANO Ronaldo is planning to claim his old club Real Madrid pressured him into signing a hush-money deal with the woman who alleges he raped her, Portugal’s leading tabloid has claimed.
The footballer flew to Lisbon on Sunday from his new base in Italy for a meeting with his lawyers.
He was later pictured relaxing at the exclusive Sky Bar in the Portuguese capital with Spanish girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.
Today Correio da Manha reported Cristiano’s defence strategy against the allegations of Kathryn Mayorga would include the claim his former club had leaned on him to sign a deal ensuring the case never got to court to protect its own image.
Ms Mayorga alleges she reached a £287,000 settlement with Ronaldo in 2010 in exchange for her silence before the original police allegation was dropped.
The 33-year-old Juventus footballer is facing a new US police investigation over her claims Ronaldo raped her at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009 after inviting her to his penthouse suite.
Correio da Manha, citing sources “close to the case”, said: “One of the main arguments the star is going to use will be that he was pressured into signing the agreement to pay the American woman.
“The footballer had just signed a lucrative contract with Real Madrid and the club was concerned about its image.
“Their concern was heightened when, during his holidays in the US, Ronaldo was the centre of attention and was even photographed on a night out with Paris Hilton.
“The investment made by Real Madrid was high and although they never doubted the quality of the player, the club was apprehensive about the consequences of his off-pitch behaviour.”
The paper insisted Ronaldo was opposed to the idea of signing any hush-money deal before Real Madrid got involved.
There was no immediate response from Real Madrid to the claims, which were being echoed this afternoon in Italy where Ronaldo now plays.
A Real Madrid employee said at lunchtime today no-one from the press office was available.
Dad-of-four Cristiano, who has described Ms Mayorga’s accusations as “fake news” and described rape as an “abominable crime” was pictured looking happy and relaxed with his supportive girlfriend on Monday at the famous rooftop terrace at Lisbon’s Tivoli Hotel.
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He jetted to the Portuguese capital on Sunday by private plane despite being left out of the squad for Portugal’s games against Poland tomorrow and Scotland on Sunday.
Cristiano has also been ruled out of Portugal’s games in November, against Poland again and Italy.
His next club game is on October 20, at home to Genoa.
His mum Dolores and sister Katia came out in support of him on social media on Monday by posting pictures of the footballer in a Superman cape and issuing matching messages which read: “I want to see who has the courage to put this photo on their profile for a week and make a chain for him.”
Las Vegas police have said they aim to question Cristiano about Ms Mayorga’s sex assault claims. She approached the force in August asking for the case to be reopened.
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