English Premiership stars in gang rape probe

Eight English Premiership soccer stars are at the centre of investigations into the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl.

She told police she consented to sex with one of the players in a London hotel over the weekend.

But she claims seven others then joined in and forced themselves on her, The Sun newspaper reported Monday.

The seven all play for the same club and at least one is an international.

The other player, with whom the girl was willing to have sex, plays for another club.

She reported the allegations to a central London police station.

Scotland Yard confirmed that officers from their specialist unit which tackles sex crimes were investigating her allegations.

The Sun newspaper says it cannot name the players for legal reasons but claims they are instantly recognisable stars.

Police said the inquiry was at a very early stage. Detectives have yet to speak to the victim in detail. They are planning to take a full statement from her within the next few days.

They are expected to interview her before making further inquiries with anyone she claims as being involved in the alleged attack. Any decision to arrest the players involved will be taken later.

Premiership games to take place in London over the weekend involved Arsenal and Newcastle on Friday night, Chelsea and Aston Villa on Saturday and Charlton against Liverpool Sunday.