Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa has publicly defended football star, Cristiano Ronaldo following accusations of rape raised against him by a woman, Kathryn Mayorga.
Speaking on a television show, Prime Minister Costa said, “People need to understand one and for all that there’s one thing that is presumption of innocence.It is not enough for someone to be accused of something but to be guilty of it”.
He added, “If there’s something we have proof of is that he is an extraordinary professional, an extraordinary sportsman, an extraordinary footballer, and someone who has honored and given prestige to Portugal, and certainly what we all wish for is that nothing can ever stain that record of Ronaldo.”
An investigation was opened by law enforcement after Mayorga filed a civil lawsuit claiming Ronaldo raped her in Las Vegas in 2009.
The top goal scorer has also been defended by his club, Juventus who released a statement describing as “a great champion”.
