Marseille Striker Brandão Released From Custody, Still Subject To Rape Investigation

Marseille’s striker Brandão was released from custody on Wednesday after being detained by French police earlier that day as part of a rape investigation. The 30-year-old Brazilian has been accused by a 23-year-old woman who claims the alleged attack occurred on March 2. Brandão claims the pair had consensual sex, and though he has been released from custody.

Though Brandão’s representation had claimed the accuser’s complaint would be withdrawn, the lawyer for the alleged victim said that the accusation remains. Patricia Clusan, representing the Marseille player, said prosecutors were persisting with an investigation despite the original complainant’s wish to withdraw her initial claim. Olivier Grimaldi, lawyer for the accuser, said his client was “shocked” to hear that the accusation has been withdrawn, saying his client would persist with the complaint.

The attack is alleged to have occurred along a motorway near Aix-en-Provence while the striker was giving the woman a ride home from a night club. Grimaldi dismissed reports that the woman frequenting associated with players at Marseille’s training facility and area night clubs as “false.”

Brandão, serving as Marseille’s number nine, has one goal in 19 Ligue Un appearances this season. He has been withdrawn from the team for Friday’s trip to second place Stade Rennes, with club president Jean-Claude Dassier set to meet with the striker on Thursday to determine how to reintegrate him into the team. Though teammates have expressed support for Brandão, head coach Didier Deschamps has confessed that investigation distracts.