‘PART OF THE JOB’

Cristiano Ronaldo Calls Rape Claim ‘Fake News’

The soccer star suggests the American woman accusing him of rape just wants to “be famous.”

Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at an American woman who has accused him of rape, calling her claims “fake news” and suggesting she is simply seeking fame. In a video on Instagram Live this weekend, Ronaldo repeatedly denied the sexual assault allegation when asked about it by a fan. “They want to promote my name. It's normal. They want to be famous to say my name, but it is part of the job. I am a happy man and all good,” he said. Ronaldo’s comments came after his lawyers vowed to sue Der Spiegel for publishing what they described as “blatantly illegal” allegations made by 34-year-old Kathryn Mayorga. Mayorga has alleged that Ronaldo forced himself on her and raped her at a 2009 Las Vegas party. According to Der Spiegel, Ronaldo paid Mayorga $375,000 as part of a settlement agreement in 2010.