This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
September 11, 2019, marked a significant turn in the ongoing saga surrounding Brazilian football star Neymar and his alleged rape victim, Najila Trindade.
Trindade, a Brazilian model, had filed a rape complaint with Sao Paulo police in May, claiming she was assaulted by Neymar following a pre-arranged meeting in Paris.
However, a judge dismissed the case in August, citing insufficient evidence. In a surprising twist, Sao Paulo prosecutors have now announced that they will bring charges against Trindade for extortion and slanderous denunciation.
The decision to prosecute Trindade will ultimately be left to a judge, who will review the evidence and make a final determination.
Neymar, the world's most expensive footballer, has consistently maintained his innocence, stating that his relationship with Trindade was consensual.
The case has added to the turmoil surrounding Neymar's career, which has been marred by injury and reports of an aborted return to his previous club, Barcelona.
Despite the controversy, Neymar made a triumphant return to the pitch on Friday, scoring a second-half equalizer for Brazil in a 2-2 friendly draw with Colombia.
