Brazil football star Neymar under investigation for alleged rape in Paris

According to a complaint filed with Sao Paolo police and reported by the UOL and GloboEsporte websites, the world's most expensive footballer is accused of "using violence to have sex with the victim without her consent."

"I am accused of rape, it's a big word, it's very strong, but that is what has happened," Neymar said in a seven-minute video posted on Instagram.

"It surprised me, it's a really ugly thing and a sad thing because anyone who knows me knows what kind of person I am and knows I would never do such a thing."

Earlier a report said that a woman has accused Brazil football player Neymar of raping her in Paris, according to a Sao Paulo police report seen by Reuters, alleging that the world-renowned sports star drunkenly assaulted her at an up-market hotel in the French capital.

The accusation was the latest blow for the Brazilian, who last month was stripped of the captaincy of the national team and has seen his international reputation suffer amid incidents of indiscipline.

Neymar's representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Globo website, which first reported the news, said a representative for Neymar declined to comment, awaiting details of the allegations.

Neymar's father, Neymar Sr., said in a local TV interview: "If public opinion is not cleared up, and if we can't show the truth rapidly, this will snowball. If we have to show Neymar's WhatsApps and the conversations with this girl, we will, because it is clear that it was a trap."

He added that they were living "difficult moments". According to the police report, the unnamed woman told investigators in Sao Paulo that she met Neymar on Instagram and he suggested they meet in Paris, where he plays for Paris St Germain. Neymar's assistant sent her plane tickets and on May 15 she checked in to the Hotel Sofitel Paris Arc Du Triomphe, according to her account.

If public opinion is not cleared up, and if we can't show the truth rapidly, this will snowball. If we have to show Neymar's WhatsApps and the conversations with this girl, we will, because it is clear that it was a trap.

- Neymar Sr.

The Sofitel hotel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The woman told police that Neymar arrived at the hotel that night "apparently drunk," and that they talked and "caressed". "However, at some point, Neymar became aggressive, and through violence, practiced sexual intercourse against the will of the victim," the police report says.

Replaced on the team

The woman told police she returned home to Brazil two days later without telling French police about the alleged rape because she was "emotionally shaken and afraid to register the facts in another country", according to the report.

Neymar is currently in Brazil, training with the national football team ahead of this month's Copa America. Late last month, the country's football federation replaced him as captain for the tournament with his Paris St Germain team mate Dani Alves.

Earlier in May, Neymar was banned for three matches by the French football authorities for hitting a fan after PSG's French Cup final loss to Rennes, and was also reportedly involved in a dressing room fracas with his PSG teammates.

Paris St Germain did not immediately respond to a request for comment.