CELEBRITY
Las Vegas judge rules on Cristiano Ronaldo’s rape case
The legal team of Kathryn Mayorga – who accused Cristiano Ronaldo of sexually assaulting her in 2009 – could yet object to the court’s recommendation for dismissal and have until October 20 to do so.
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has had a Las Vegas civil rape case against him recommended to be thrown out by a judge.
His accuser, Kathryn Mayorga has less than two weeks to object to Judge Daniel Albregts ruling or the case will be dismissed.
The Old Trafford star learnt on Wednesday of the ruling.
Giving his decision, Judge Albregts wrote: “It is recommended that Ronaldo’s motion for case terminating sanctions be granted. It is further recommended that Mayorga’s action be dismissed with prejudice.”
The footballer had been accused by former model Mayorga of sexually assaulting her in 2009 in a Las Vegas hotel room.
Her claims were settled out of court 11 years ago, with the 37-year-old receiving a £375,000 lump sum from the Portuguese striker.
However, in 2018 she began proceedings to have her initial settlement overturned, arguing it was signed under duress.
She was pursuing the United footballer, who vehemently denied her claims, through a Las Vegas court demanding £56 million in damages and costs.
Ronaldo’s lawyer Peter S. Christiansen said of the decision: “We are pleased with the court’s detailed review of this matter and its willingness to justly apply the law to the facts and recommend dismissal of the civil case against Mr Ronaldo.”
Mayorga’s legal team could yet object to the court’s recommendation for dismissal. They have until October 20 to challenge the court’s decision.
In June, the footballer’s attorneys, Christiansen Trial Lawyers, filed an emergency motion for her lawyers, Stovall and Associates, to be disqualified and the case to be dismissed.
They’ve also filed an emergency motion to seal all sensitive documents immediately.
They claim her lawyer Leslie Stovall failed to disclose hundreds of documents relating to the police investigation hacked by Football Leaks.
In documents to dismiss the claim, Ronaldo’s team accused Stovall and Associates of even approaching the hackers for more documents without ever disclosing this to the courts.
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo crossed one billion followers across his social media accounts, aided by his newly-launched YouTube channel that has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in just over three weeks.
Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal last week to help Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League, is the first human being to reach a billion followers on social media, global media reports said.
“We’ve made history, one billion followers! This is more than just a number, it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo posted on X.
“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey… thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.”
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player reached the milestone with over 639 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook and 113 million on X.
The 39-year-old topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes this year, with off-field earnings of $60 million, boosted by his large social media following.
Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr will host Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
-Reuters
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday and hundreds of thousands of subscribers signed up within a couple of hours.
The 39-year-old five-times Ballon D’Or winner plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.
A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69M subscribers had joined he channel.
Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million on Facebook and 636 million on Instagram.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is preparing for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday.
-Reuters
Inter Miami will be the last club Argentina captain Lionel Messi plays for, the 36-year-old forward said on Wednesday, adding he feels “a little bit scared” at the thought of the day he decides to retire.
Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has a contract with the Major League Soccer side until 2025 following his arrival last summer after a spell with French champions Paris St Germain.
“Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left,” Messi told ESPN.
“I’m not ready to leave football. I’ve done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches… And yes, there’s always a little bit of fear that it’s all over.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is preparing with his national team to defend their Copa America title, with the tournament kicking off on June 20 in the United States.
Argentina will take on Canada in the opening match before facing Group A rivals Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.
-Reuters
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