Two soccer players held in London rape inquiry

British police arrested two soccer players today in connection with a 17-year-old girl's allegations she was gang-raped at a …

British police arrested two soccer players today in connection with a 17-year-old girl's allegations she was gang-raped at a hotel by several Premiership stars.

The arrests bring to four the number of men who have so far been questioned by police.

"A 22-year-old man attended a London police station by appointment where he was arrested. . . . A 19-year-old man old attended a separate London police station by appointment where he was arrested," police said in a statement.

They said both men were still in custody but declined further comment.

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However, a police source confirmed media reports the arrested men were both professional soccer players.

Police arrested a 27-year-old man yesterday and a 29-year-old man on Wednesday. Media reports said neither was a soccer player. Both were freed on bail to return for questioning later in the month.

The teenager's allegation that she was gang-raped by up to eight top soccer players in the luxury Grosvenor House hotel on September 27th has threatened English football with its worst scandal involving player behaviour off the pitch.

Wednesday's arrest was that of party organiser Mr Nicholas Meikle who told the News of the Worldnewspaper last weekend that he and several other men had consensual sex with the girl. His lawyer denies the rape allegation.