Authorities investigating a rape claim brought against footballer Neymar has ended the case for want of evidence, the São Paulo attorney general’s office has said.
However, a judge would still need to evaluate the case within 15 days before a final decision can be made.
The investigation was opened after Brazilian model Najila Trindade alleged the footballer attacked her in a Paris in May. However, Neymar, whose full name is Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, denied the accusation, saying he is being extorted.
The claim first became public in June, when the Paris St-Germain star released a seven-minute video on Instagram revealing that he had been accused of rape. He also published Whatsapp messages and images that he claimed to be of the woman. In the video, he says he had to make them public to “prove that nothing really happened“.
Trindade then went public, giving a television interview and releasing footage and a video clip purportedly showing an altercation between the two.
Police later filed a defamation suit against Trindade, who allegedly insinuated the force was corrupt, according to news agency AFP. The model was also dropped by several lawyers.
Join readers who get our weekly entertainment recap — the stories worth your time, delivered every Friday.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy.
