ROTTERDAM, Netherlands : Arsenal's Dutch striker Robin van
Persie was arrested on rape charges.
"He was arrested last night and is considered a suspect following
an allegation of rape," public prosecutors' spokesman Jeichin de
Graaf told AFP on Tuesday.
Police can hold Van Persie, 21, for a maximum of three days without
a formal charge.
The prosecution spokeswoman would not give any additional
information.
Under the Dutch legal system prosecutors can alter the charges
against a suspect up until trial and even during the
proceedings.
The incident allegedly happened over the weekend when Van Persie
was in Rotterdam with the Dutch squad for World Cup qualifiers
against Romania and Finland.
Van Persie joined Arsenal from Feyenoord last summer and after an
indifferent start which saw him involved in some on-field clashes
he finished the season in style by helping the London side beat
Manchester United in the FA Cup final and secure second in The
English Premiership.
He made his international debut as a substitute in the 2-0 win over
Romania in Rotterdam 10 days ago and he scored his first
international goal after coming on as a substitute again in a 4-0
win over Finland in Helsinki last Wednesday.
Holland are top of European qualifying Group One and on course for
next year's World Cup finals in Germany.
In October last year Van Persie made headlines when he crashed his
car in London. He left the scene of the accident unharmed and the
wrecked car unattended.
Van Persie was due back at Arsenal for pre-season training at the
start of July. A spokesman for the club refused to comment on the
arrest.
- AFP /ct