Cristiano Ronaldo is available for selection for Juventus’ game with Udinese on Saturday
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has said that he is happy to welcome forward Cristiano Ronaldo into the team’s squad for Saturday’s match with Udinese.
The Portuguese forward was absent from the Serie A side’s Champions League victory over Young Boys during the week after being sent off against Valencia in the Old Lady’s opening game.
Ronaldo is currently at the centre of rape allegations dating back nine years. A woman named Kathryn Mayorga has accused the footballer of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel room in June, 2009.
Mayorga’s allegations were published in Der Spiegel last week and were initially branded as “fake news” by Ronaldo in a subsequent Instagram post.
Ronaldo later released a statement denying the allegations in full.
“I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me,” Ronaldo wrote in a Twitter post. “Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.
“Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.
“My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquility the results of any and all investigations.”
Despite the allegations, Allegri has insisted that he is happy to welcome him back.
“I’ve known Cristiano for three months now and for over 15 years of his career he has shown to be a great professional both on and off the pitch. He is ready to return to action tomorrow,” Allegri said.
“Tomorrow I could go with a front three of Mandzukic, Dybala and Ronaldo, or one of them could be rested.”
The official English-language Twitter account of Juventus came under on Thursday after posting a series of tweets defending the Portuguese star based on his professionalism within the game, while the Associated Press have reported that Nike – one of Ronaldo’s primary sponsors – are monitoring the situation closely.
.@Cristiano Ronaldo has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus. 1/1
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) October 4, 2018
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. 2/2
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) October 4, 2018
Exclusive: Nike 'deeply concerned' by Cristiano Ronaldo rape claims.
Statement to @AP from Ronaldo's biggest sponsor: "we are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation."https://t.co/dwdQ7SnfNQ
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) October 4, 2018
