Sport 19-11-2003 Leeds Player Charged With Rape who: Leeds United midfielder Jody Morris what: To appear before magistrates charged with sexual assault where: Magistrates` Court, LEEDS when: Today snippet: "Troubled Premiership side Leeds United were thrown into further turmoil last night when player Jody Morris was charged with rape," reports this mornings Guardian after the 24 year-old midfielder was rearrested yesterday "following allegations that a 20-year-old woman was attacked in Leeds in the early hours of October 7. Another Leeds player, Jermaine Pennant, 20, who was arrested yesterday in connection with the incident was released on police bail pending further inquiries." Morris will be joined in the dock by friend Kristofer Dickie, 26, who The Mirror points out is "the son of a Scotland Yard Flying Squad officer." Both are currently being held in the cells at Chapeltown police station in Leeds. Police launched the rape investigation "after the woman claimed she had been attacked by Morris and another man," adds The Sun, whose report is the most detailed of any of today`s papers despite there being no comment available from any of those involved in the case. "The woman had been drinking in a city centre bar at the same time as Morris and his pals," the reports continues. "She told police she was assaulted after accepting a lift." Aside from the personal repercussions, The Guardian sees these latest charges as "yet another blow to the football club which has struggled from one controversy to another this season, and where the board is becoming wearily accustomed to scandal." Just last week, striker Alan Smith, 23, was questioned by West Yorkshire police about a bottle thrown into the crowd at the end of Manchester United`s recent Carling Cup victory at Elland Road. Football`s loss may be rugby`s gain, says The Times, which suggests that "companies entering multi million-pound football sponsorship deals are rethinking their strategy after a survey found that consumers are turning against the brands that sponsor the game`s bad boys." Players such as teetotal Christian Jason Robinson are seen as more appealing than Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who "faces the loss of his 2 million Nike contract and appearances in a Euro 2004 television campaign after being charged with misconduct for failing to take a drugs test in September." [... more]

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