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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Matt Payton

Sunderland footballer Cabral 'raped woman twice' at flat after-party

A former Premier League footballer has been accused of raping a woman twice in his flat after partying together at a nightclub.

Cabral, whose real name is Adilson Tavares Varela, was playing for Sunderland when the alleged incident took place in Newcastle.

Hull Crown Court heard that the 21-year-old woman, who cannot be named, met Cabral, 27, at Tup Tup Palace night club.

In an interview screened at the hearing, she said she danced with Varela at the club before taking a taxi back to the footballer's flat for an after party.

The woman said she went into Varela's bedroom to ask him for socks due to being cold when the alleged rape took place.

According to the Telegraphshe said: "He pushed me further into the bed and sat on me. He started touching my body and breasts.

"He went to the left hand-drawer and got a condom out and opened it with his teeth. I said stop."

She added: "I was trying to speak but it was just a whisper. My voice was going. I was starting to cry.

The woman claimed she was raped twice before Varela left the room and returned with her friends.

She claims to have not known he was a professional footballer at the time of the alleged incident.

The midfielder, who currently plays for FC Zurich, denies two charges of rape.

He has claimed he invited her into his bedroom where they kissed on the bed before she asked him for sex.

The trial continues.

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