Brazilian footballer Neymar has strongly denied an accusation that he raped a woman in a Paris hotel room.
A police document filed in Sao Paulo says an unidentified woman has accused the Paris Saint-Germain star of raping her last month.
In a statement, his management "completely repudiated the unjust accusations".
“Although he was surprised by the news, the facts were already known to the player and his staff, considering that a few days ago he was the victim of an attempted extortion, practised by a lawyer from Sao Paulo who said he represented the interests of the alleged victim," the statement said.
“The player’s lawyers were immediately notified and have since taken all appropriate steps. We completely repudiate the unjust accusations and, above all, the exposure in the press of an extremely negative situation.
“All evidence of attempted extortion and non-rape will be submitted to the police authorities in a timely manner.”
The police document, obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday, says the incident took place on May 15 at 8.20pm. The woman went to police in Sao Paulo on Friday.
After the revelation, Neymar used Instagram to publish a seven-minute video that includes WhatsApp messages he says he exchanged with the accuser in a friendly way days later.
He called the incident "a set-up".
His father and agent, Neymar da Silva Santos, said his son had consensual sex with the accuser and was blackmailed by her lawyer after they broke up.
"This is a tough moment. If we can't show the truth quickly, it will be a snowball. If we have to show Neymar's WhatsApp messages and the conversations with this lady, we will," he told Band TV in Brazil.
He also said his son is already preparing his defence for a legal case if needed.
Additional reporting by agencies
