COPS swooped on a football stadium in the arrests of two Premier League stars over an alleged rape.
Only one of the players was at the ground in the police operation at the weekend.
He was spoken to on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape.
Sources said he was allowed to leave the stadium after a brief interview before he was then arrested later that night.
The player, 19, spent the night in the cells and was later quizzed by detectives under caution.
His team-mate, also 19, was arrested the following day and questioned on suspicion of rape.
Yesterday, police said the pair had been released on bail pending further inquiries.
The alleged rape is said to have taken place on Friday night.
The alleged victim contacted officers hours later and filed a formal complaint.
A police spokesman said: “Officers have arrested two men following a report of a rape. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape. A second 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape.
“Both men have since been released on police bail.”
A source said: “One of the players was at the club’s stadium. The police arrived wanting to speak to him.
Both men have since been released on police bail
Police spokesman
“He was taken to a private room within the ground and was spoken to by police.
“The player left the club with another individual and was formally arrested by police later that night.”
Club insiders said talks had already begun over the “next steps”.
It is unclear if the two arrested players have been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
A club spokesman said: “As the matter is now in the hands of the police, the club will not be making further comment at this stage.”
The Premier League has been plagued by a series of high-profile sex scandals.
Man United striker Mason Greenwood, 22, was suspended in 2022 after he was arrested for attempted rape.
The case was later dropped and he is now on loan at Spanish side Getafe.
Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy, 29, was cleared of multiple rapes after two trials last year.
He is now at French side Lorient.
Their cases and others prompted the Premier League to launch sexual consent lessons for all players.
