Most Brazilians Think Neymar is “Innocent”, Says Poll

By Newsfeed/AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Most Brazilians believe Neymar did not rape a woman who has accused him of rape, a poll showed on Friday, with more than 60 percent of respondents declaring him innocent.

The injured star striker has been flooded with support messages on social media, from his millions of followers as the scandal dominates headlines and conversations, days before Brazil hosts the Copa America.

Neymar, who has strongly denied the allegations, was forced out of the tournament after spraining his ankle in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Qatar in a friendly match on Wednesday.

In the days after the alleged rape scandal erupted last Saturday, Paraná Pesquisas asked 2,071 Brazilians if they thought Neymar was guilty or innocent of the charge of raping Najila Trindade Mendes de Souza in a Paris hotel in May. Nearly 63 percent said he was innocent, while only 14 percent thought he was guilty.

More than half of those surveyed were women, and nearly 60 percent of them said he was innocent.

(Source: AFP)