No action on Man Utd rape claim

Mr Evans, 20, was arrested after claims a 26-year-old woman was raped at the Great John Street Hotel, Manchester, in December 2007.

Police revealed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had taken the decision not to prosecute.

The CPS said there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

A police spokeswoman said: "The CPS has now taken the decision to take no further action against the man arrested following an incident at a city centre hotel on Tuesday December 18 2007."

Belfast-born Mr Evans, who is currently on loan at Sunderland, was arrested after a woman made an allegation of rape during a private party at the boutique hotel.

Police were called to the building in the Castlefield area of the city in the early hours of 18 December.

The hotel had been hosting a private party attended by members of the Manchester United squad and other guests.

Mr Evans was arrested after presenting himself to police later that evening and subsequently released on bail.

The decision not to proceed with a prosecution was revealed on Friday and Mr Evans will face no action.

On loan

Carol Jackson, head of the rape and family abuse team at City of Manchester CPS, said: "We take any allegation of rape extremely seriously and all rape cases are reviewed by specialist prosecutors.

"After carefully examining the evidence in this case, we have decided that there is not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction."

Mr Evans, a central defender, is not a regular member of United's first team squad and made three appearances earlier this season.

He was subsequently sent back to Sunderland on loan for the remainder of the 2007/08 campaign and has made nine appearances for the team.

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