Juve are chumps for ‘champ’ talk

IT is understandable – with legal sensitivities – that the media is treading carefully in its treatment of the rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo.

The alleged victim has made her accusations and Ronaldo has made his denials.

The course of a police investigation and the course of law should now be allowed to run without prejudice, hindrance or compromise.

So quite why Juventus decided to get involved is bizarre and reprehensible.

Here is what the club had to say on social media: “@Cristiano Ronaldo has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus.

“The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion.”

What on earth were they thinking of?

The Las Vegas Police Department have reopened their investigation into a 2009 complaint and Ronaldo’s employers would be best served by waiting until that is complete before talking of their “great champion”.

BEFORE this weekend’s round of fixtures, Valencia were lying 14th in La Liga, Leganes were sitting bottom. Last Tuesday, Valencia comfortably held Manchester United to a goalless draw at Old Trafford and, on Wednesday, Barcelona gave a masterclass at Wembley, completely outclassing Tottenham Hotspur.

A week earlier, the same Barcelona has been beaten by Leganes.

And yet still the pundits queue up to say the Spanish league has no strength in depth.