Police probe Lyon's players over gang rape claim

Police in Lyon are investigating claims that two players from top French club Lyon raped a 38-year-old woman, a top police official confirmed here Wednesday.

One of the players involved is Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, who has not yet been questioned. Gomis on Wednesday denied involvement in an alleged rape, and confirmed that he has not been arrested by police.

"I formally deny the accusations that have been made against me and, contrary to what has been written, I absolutely did not spend the night in police custody. Thanks for all your support," Gomis wrote on his Facebook page and also on Twitter.

Bafetimbi Gomis is one of the two Lyon players under investigation in connection to a gang rape. Pic/AFP

The official said: "A statement was made to police at the end of the evening, but the victim has not lodged a complaint nor been interviewed by police."

The police statement followed reports of the alleged incident in local media.

According to the Lyon Capitale website the "incident took place between 0100 and 0200 (local time) early on Wednesday morning after a 38-year-old woman was invited to Gomis's apartment along with another, non-identified player".

The report added: "The woman accuses both players of rape. She revealed everything to a friend who came to pick her up in the middle of the night."

Police have confirmed they are probing the allegations, but said neither suspect had been questioned -- as several media reports have claimed.

It is not the first time top players in the French league have been accused of rape.

Marseille striker Brandao, a Brazilian, was charged with rape on March 9, 2011.

He was accused of raping a 24-year-old woman whom he had met in a nightclub.

He was granted bail and subsequently loaned to Brazilian club Cruzeiro before returning to the French club in January.