Cristiano Ronaldo rape allegations: Juventus insist pre-season Asia tour is not due to sexual assault claims

Juventus‘ decision to play in the International Champions Cup in Asia instead of the United States was not made to specifically avoid potential difficulties with Cristiano Ronaldo.

A report claimed the Serie A side will not play pre-season games in the USA due to the ongoing enquiries into a rape allegation made against the Portugal international.

It had been suggested competition organisers made a choice to keep Juve out of America to avoid the risk of Ronaldo being detained by the authorities as part of the investigation into the allegations in Las Vegas – which the player denies.

It’s understood a decision was made by Juventus several months ago to tour the Far East to spread their exposure after successive summers in the USA and not in relation to Ronaldo’s case.

Three of their last four appearances in the competition have been in America, the other was in Australia in 2016, and it is understood club officials view the switch as a “normal change” over a three-year period.