Robinho, the Manchester City footballer, was arrested by police in relation to allegations that an 18-year-old woman was raped in a nightclub. The 25-year-old Brazilian forward, who is Britain’s most expensive player, was quizzed after a university student told police she had been attacked in the VIP area of the Space club in Leeds in the early hours of January 14. Chris Nathaniel, Robinho’s spokesman, confirmed that the footballer met the police yesterday “as pre-arranged as part of a criminal investigation”. Mr Nathaniel told The Sun: “He strenuously denies any allegation of wrong-doing or criminality and is happy to co-operate with the police if required further.” Robinho, who earns a reported wage of £160,000 a week, is expected to play for Manchester City against Newcastle tonight.

The club refused to comment. Robinho signed from Real Madrid for £32.5 million, a British record, in September last year, as City's new Middle Eastern owners set out their desire to make the club real contenders for the Premier league title. Despite a series of goals which have underlined his status as one of the world's most talented players, Robinho has not managed to shift City from mid-table. The club failed last week to sign his Brazil teammate Kaka for £100 million as the Milan forward opted for Champions League football over wages of £500,000 a week. Since then Robinho has had to deny being unsettled in Manchester after media reports linking him with Chelsea, a club he had expressed interest in joining over the summer.

Last week he left a City training camp in Tenerife without permission to fly back to Brazil, citing "family reasons" - believed to mean celebrations for his 25th birthday. He faces a fine of £320,000 for the misdemeanour. City manager Mark Hughes has insisted: "Robinho will be treated in exactly the same manner as any other player at Manchester City. Everybody knows that. There is no special case here."