Ravel Morrison charged with assaulting two women
Midfielder due to appear in court a day after West Ham boss urges him to focus on football
Former Manchester United star Ravel Morrison was due to appear before magistrates today charged with assaulting two women in Manchester at the weekend.
The midfielder, who now plays for West Ham, was arrested on Wednesday and, according to the Manchester Evening News, is being held in custody ahead of his court appearance.
Police were called in the early hours of Sunday after two incidents.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"At about 3.20am on Sunday 27 July 2014, police were called to an address on Alexandra Road, Peel Green, Salford, following reports a 19-year-old woman and a 39-year-old woman had been assaulted," said Greater Manchester Police. "Officers attended and established the young woman had also been assaulted outside a bar in Manchester city centre earlier that evening and a 21-year-old man was subsequently arrested at a later date."
News of Morrison's arrest comes a day after West Ham manager Sam Allardyce urged the wayward star to focus on his football career. "If he gets back to knuckling down, and getting used to the discipline side of the game, then his talents are outstanding," he said.
Morrison did not accompany West Ham on their pre-season tour of New Zealand and Allardyce appeared to have washed his hands of the player. But that was before the Hammers' co-chairman, David Sullivan, made it clear that he regarded Morrison as "part of the long-term future of the club", reports the Daily Mirror.
Whether Allardyce and Sullivan feel the same way now remains to be seen.
The midfielder joined West Ham in January 2012 from Manchester United. Although he had been regarded as one of the best young players to ever come through the ranks at Old Trafford, Morrison failed to break into the first team. Alex Ferguson sold him to West Ham claiming that the player needed to "get away from Manchester and start a new life".
After struggling to settle in London, Morrison appeared to have broken through last season and was even tipped to make England's World Cup squad. But his form tailed off and he ended the season on loan at QPR.
Morrison's arrest caps a grim pre-season for the Hammers, who have lost Andy Carroll for four months with injury and have been criticised for travelling to New Zealand for their summer tour.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How much of a blow is ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu?
Today's Big Question Action by Hague court damages Israel's narrative that Gaza conflict is a war between 'good and evil'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
UK gynaecological care crisis: why thousands of women are left in pain
The Explainer Waiting times have tripled over the past decade thanks to lack of prioritisation or funding for women's health
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'The Hum': the real-life noise behind The Listeners
In The Spotlight Can some of us also hear the disturbing sound that plagues characters in the hit TV show – and where is it coming from?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published