WARNING - Web clamp down on alleged rape case speculation

hedgetrimmer

THE names of eight top English footballers linked with the alleged gang rape of a teenager were still widely available on the internet last night despite attempts to close down the websites.

Some soccer website message boards and chatrooms were closed, but others continued to speculate on which high-profile Premiership stars were at the centre of the police investigation.

Office workers who have sent e-mails speculating about the identities of the footballers were warned last night that they could face libel action. In an unprecedented move, solicitors representing players are targeting individuals in an attempt to silence cyber-gossip.

Thousands of e-mails naming a string of players were circulated around offices in Britain yesterday as workers took part in an electronic guessing game.

A law firm, which does not wish to be identified for fear of identifying the players it represents, is collecting some of the e-mails "doing the rounds" and tracking them back to the original senders.

It has already traced one message back to a large company and has threatened to take legal action. The employee who sent the message is said to have been suspended while the claim is investigated.

The managing partner of the law firm, which also represents pop stars and television celebrities, said: "The e-mails are like a chain letter. They are spreading like wildfire.

"The websites have been co-operating and taking down message boards as quickly as we find them, but the e-mails are everywhere."

Names of eight men said to be at the centre of the police investigation have been circulating in media and football circles since the teenager made a complaint to police.

But dozens of players, many entirely unconnected with events on the night of the alleged attack, were still being named on the internet last night despite efforts by lawyers to shut down message boards on football websites. At least one young player unconnected with the incident has also had journalists camped outside his home.

The 'Daily Sport' newspaper, which yesterday identified the club whose players are at the centre of the investigation, also faces legal action.

Police investigating the rape allegations are examining CCTV pictures from the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane, central London, where the group of Premiership footballers are accused of attacking the girl.

The 17-year-old claims she consented to sex with one player but was then attacked by others at the five-star hotel.

She reportedly alleges a total of up to eight players were present during the attack.

The Premiership footballers suspected of taking part in the alleged rape could face identification parades as Scotland Yard detectives gather possible evidence of the attacks.

irishdeej

If these players are charged, will their names be in the public?

I think these players names should be available, because it is extremely unfair for all those players who are NOT under investigation. But are being hounded by gossip and the like.

tHE vAGGABOND

we dont need another post on this - thread locked