Cristiano Ronaldo can hope that the proceedings will be discontinued

Cristiano Ronaldo (36) can hope that his civil case for rape allegations will be suspended.

Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts gave the judge in charge of the process a corresponding recommendation.

Former US model Mayorga accuses Ronaldo of raping her in a hotel room in Las Vegas in 2009. Because of the resulting psychological problems, her lawyers are demanding up to $ 200 million in compensation.

According to Judge Albregts, the plaintiff’s lawyer based his action for compensation on the communication between Ronaldo and his legal team that was made public in the context of the “Football Leaks” revelations. The exchange between defense lawyers and their clients is under special protection.

“Dismissing Mayorga’s lawsuit for the inappropriate conduct of her attorney is a tough decision,” wrote Albregts. “But unfortunately that is the only appropriate sanction to ensure the integrity of the judicial process.” There is also no evidence that Mayorga was intimidated or that the investigation of the case was hindered by Ronaldo.

Ronaldo: Criminal proceedings stopped in 2019

Ronaldo has always denied the allegations and asserted that the sex was consensual. Criminal proceedings against the Portuguese were dropped two years ago because prosecutors considered a conviction of the Manchester United attacker unlikely.

Ronaldo’s lawyer Peter Christiansen was pleased that the civil proceedings were now also recommended. It is good that the court is willing “to apply the law fairly to the facts,” he said. Mayorga’s lawyers admitted at the news agency’s request AFP initially no opinion.

Ronaldo paid the model $ 375,000 in an out-of-court settlement in 2010 to “maintain confidentiality” and “avoid costly public litigation,” according to his lawyers. Mayorga, on the other hand, had spoken of some kind of hush money in the past.