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Cristiano Ronaldo Accused of 'Rape' by an American Woman

Jan 25, 2026 January 25, 2026 3 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

An American woman has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of raping her in 2009 and claims he paid her $375,000 to remain silent. The Las Vegas police have reopened the case following her request for further investigation. This high-profile case raises significant questions about accountability for celebrities and the legal ramifications of such allegations.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The reopening of this high-profile case underscores the ongoing struggle for justice in sexual assault allegations against powerful individuals.

👥 Key Players

Cristiano Ronaldo MENTIONED
Professional footballer
"Ronaldo is one of the most famous athletes globally, and allegations against him can influence public discourse on celebrity accountability."
The Plaintiff MENTIONED
Accuser
"Her allegations bring attention to issues of sexual assault and the challenges faced by survivors in seeking justice."
Las Vegas Police Department MENTIONED
Law enforcement agency
"They are responsible for investigating the allegations and determining the legal ramifications of the case."
Christian Schertz MENTIONED
Ronaldo's lawyer
"He represents Ronaldo's legal interests and is involved in the response to the allegations."

📰 What Happened

An American woman has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, claiming he paid her to remain silent. The Las Vegas police have reopened the case for further investigation following her request.

  • The plaintiff alleges that Ronaldo sent 'fixers' to silence her after the incident.
  • Ronaldo has publicly denied the allegations, calling them 'fake news.'

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This case may resonate with Iranian audiences as it reflects global issues of sexual assault and the power dynamics involved, which are also relevant in Iran.
🌍 Regional: The case highlights the broader regional issues of women's rights and the treatment of sexual assault allegations in various cultures.
🌐 International: It raises questions about celebrity accountability and the legal system's handling of sexual assault cases, which are of interest to international audiences.

📚 Background

Sexual assault allegations against celebrities often spark public debate about accountability and the legal system's response to such claims.

#MeToo movement Celebrity culture and accountability
📡 Source: INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The Associated Press is generally considered a reliable news source, providing factual reporting on significant events.

A woman from Nevada, USA, has filed a complaint against Cristiano Ronaldo, accusing him of raping her in a hotel in Las Vegas in 2009. She claims that after the incident, Cristiano Ronaldo sent a group of 'fixers' to prevent criminal investigations and tricked her into silence by paying her $375,000. According to the Associated Press, the woman requested the police to reopen the case last month. The Las Vegas police confirmed on Monday that they have reopened the case related to the 2009 complaint. The Associated Press does not disclose the names of individuals who claim to have been sexually assaulted. Christian Schertz, Ronaldo's lawyer, did not respond to the news agency's questions but threatened to sue the German magazine Spiegel after the news broke last week, stating, 'This report has violated our client's rights in the most severe way.' Cristiano Ronaldo denied the accusation in a video on Instagram just hours after the complaint, calling it 'fake news.' He stated, 'You want to be famous by using my name. It's normal. They mention my name because of my fame. But it’s part of my job. I am a happy man, and everything is fine.' The plaintiff's lawyers have also not responded to the Associated Press's inquiries. The complaint alleges that the plaintiff met Ronaldo on the evening of June 12 at the Palms Casino Hotel in Las Vegas. According to the plaintiff, Ronaldo invited her and another group to his suite under the pretext of enjoying the city views. The plaintiff claims that after showering and while changing her clothes, Cristiano Ronaldo approached her naked and asked her to perform oral sex. When she refused, Ronaldo allegedly raped her. A spokesperson for the Las Vegas police confirmed that the plaintiff reported the assault to the police on the same day and requested medical examinations related to the sexual assault. According to the police, on that day, the plaintiff did not specify where the assault occurred and only provided the information that 'the assailant is a famous European footballer.' The Las Vegas police spokesperson stated that due to the reopening of the case and the commencement of investigations, no further information will be released. In addition to the rape allegation, the complaint includes other charges against Cristiano Ronaldo and those who work for him, including intentional emotional distress, fraud, exploitation of a vulnerable person, and allowing the disclosure of details of a prior agreement made between the two parties. The complaint also requests hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages and attorney and court fees due to the various harms suffered by the plaintiff.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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