US Judge Recommends Dismissing Rape Case Against Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo

The judge blamed the lawyers of the woman -- who has filed a rape case -- for the move, saying they had based their case on leaked communications between Cristiano Ronaldo and his legal team, which were privileged.

A US judge has recommended dismissing the civil rape case against Cristiano Ronaldo over an incident in Las Vegas more than a decade ago.

Kathryn Mayorga, a former model, alleges Ronaldo attacked her in a hotel room in 2009.

The Portuguese international has always denied allegations of sexual assault, insisting their encounter was consensual.

The criminal case against the Manchester United forward was dropped two years ago, with prosecutors saying there was no likelihood of conviction.