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SPORTS Tuesday 23 July 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo won’t face rape charge in Las Vegas

By KEN RITTER acknowledged that the Ronaldo or those working
Associated Press soccer star and Mayorga for him of conspiracy, def-
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Cristiano had consensual sex in June amation, breach of con-
Ronaldo won’t face crimi- 2009, but they denied it tract, coercion and fraud
nal charges after a woman was rape. Attorney Peter for allegedly allowing terms
accused the soccer star of Christiansen was traveling of the settlement to be-
raping her in his suite at a Monday and wasn’t imme- come public in European
Las Vegas resort more than diately available to com- publications.
10 years ago, a top pros- ment. Her attorneys say Mayorga
ecutor said Monday. Attorneys for Mayorga, a never wanted her name
A new investigation by Las former model and school- released but became wor-
Vegas police failed to show teacher, did not immedi- ried that she would be iden-
that Kathryn Mayorga’s ately respond to telephone, tified after a 2017 media re-
claim could be proven at text and email messages. port apparently referred to
trial beyond a reasonable The Associated Press gener- the encounter.
doubt, Clark County Dis- ally does not name people Her lawyers have said in
trict Attorney Steve Wolfson who say they are victims of federal court documents n this June 8, 2019, file photo, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo smiles
when he arrives to a training session at the Bessa stadium in
said. “Therefore, no charg- sexual assault, but Mayor- that they were having Porto, Portugal.
es will be forthcoming,” ga gave consent through trouble personally serving Associated Press
Wolfson said in a statement. her lawyers to make her Ronaldo with legal filings. their investigation in 2009 addition, video evidence,
The decision represented name public. A judge has given them an because Mayorga neither showing interactions be-
a victory on one of two le- Her lawsuit says she met Oct. 28 deadline. identified her attacker by tween the victim and per-
gal tracks tied to the 2009 Ronaldo at a nightclub Ronaldo plays in Italy for name nor said where the petrator before and after
allegation against one of and went with him and the Turin-based soccer alleged rape took place, the alleged crime, was
the most recognizable and other people to his suite at club Juventus. He played said Wolfson, the elected lost.” The investigation was
highly paid players in sports. the Palms Hotel and Casi- previously for Manchester prosecutor in Las Vegas. reopened in last year at the
In a lawsuit still pending in no, where he assaulted her United in England and Real Police have said she identi- request of Mayorga’s at-
federal court, Mayorga al- in a bedroom. Afterward, Madrid in Spain, where he fied her attacker only as a torneys, shortly before they
leges that she was pres- she signed a non-disclosure earned a then-record sum European soccer player. sued Ronaldo. She spoke
sured to sign an agreement agreement under pres- of 94 million euros, or about “As a result, the police were again with police, and au-
to keep quiet in exchange sure from “fixers” trying to $130 million. unable to ... conduct any thorities this year obtained
for $375,000. Her lawyers protect Ronaldo’s reputa- Mayorga underwent a meaningful investigation,” a sample of Ronaldo’s DNA
want to void the deal and tion, her lawyer, Leslie Mark medical exam to collect Wolfson said Monday. “De- through Italian authorities.
collect at least $200,000 Stovall, has said. DNA evidence shortly af- tectives were unable to Police did not immediately
more from Ronaldo. The lawsuit in U.S. District ter she alleges Ronaldo as- search for and impound respond Monday to mes-
Ronaldo’s attorneys have Court in Las Vegas accuses saulted her. Police closed vital forensic evidence. In sages about the case.q

Shane Lowry him was McDowell, a for-

mer U.S. Open champion
Continued from Page 17 said. “And look, I’m here who grew up at Portrush;
now, a major champion. I Padraig Harrington, who
A year ago, Lowry sat in a can’t believe I’m saying it, preceded Lowry as the
parking lot at Carnoustie to be honest.” first Irishman to win a ma-
and cried after missing the So many others in the Irish jor; four-time major cham-
cut in the British Open for golf community can. pion Brooks Koepka and
the fourth straight year. Graeme McDowell recalls his caddie, Rickie Elliott,
“Golf wasn’t my friend at a story from famed swing also raised at Portrush and
the time,” he said. coach Pete Cowen, who once a promising amateur
And there he was Sun- long ago traveled to Dub- in Irish golf.
day, in rain and wind so lin to scout the Irish Boys Lowry was asked earlier
ferocious that pars felt like golf team. They were curi- in the week if he felt like a
birdies, never giving any- ous about his views on the forgotten Irishman.
one much of a chance as obvious star — a teenager The return of the British
he closed with a 1-over 72 named Rory McIlroy — Ireland’s Shane Lowry wipes away a tear as he makes a Open to Northern Ireland
speech holding the Claret Jug trophy after winning the British
for the largest margin of except that Cowen saw Open Golf Championships at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, for the first time in 68 years
victory in the Open in nine more. “The guy said, ‘Who Sunday, July 21, 2019. was all about McIlroy, Mc-
years. do you like?’ And he said, Associated Press Dowell and Darren Clarke,
Lowry isn’t afraid to be ‘Rory McIlroy looks pretty met Lowry. “I just shot 61 lead with three to play. He a trio of Ulstermen with ma-
honest, and he didn’t good, but that slightly at Baltray, and he came knew it was over when he jor championships. No one
mind telling caddie Bo overweight kid with the in and shot 62,” McDowell found the fairway on the in these parts — the largest
Martin that he was ner- glasses on ... he looks said. “And he didn’t even 17th because “I knew that Open crowd outside of St.
vous, scared and worried good,’” McDowell said. introduce himself. He said, I could really lose a ball Andrews — will forget Low-
he would mess up for a “So he’s always been tal- ‘I can’t believe you beat from there.” ry and his performance.
raucous, rollicking crowd ented.” That kid was Low- me by one out there.’ And The cheers got louder “Everyone knows we’re
that wanted nothing ry, so talented that he was I’m like, ‘Who’s this kid?’” with each step closer to all one country when it
more than to celebrate still an amateur 10 years That kid is now “champion the finish line, and Lowry comes to golf,” Lowry said.
with him. ago when he won the Irish golfer of the year.” stretched out his arms The names on the clar-
“I suppose I didn’t even Open at County Louth. Lowry could barely con- when his second shot to et jug include Harry
know going out this morn- McDowell remembers tain his joy when he rolled the 18th was safely on the Vardon and Bobby Jones,
ing if I was good enough something else about that in an 8-foot birdie putt on fringe. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger
to win a major,” Lowry Irish Open, the first time he the 15th hole for a six-shot Waiting to celebrate with Woods.q