Bramble bailed over rape claim

Titus Bramble has been bailed by police (GETTY IMAGES)

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble and his brother were bailed last night after being arrested on suspicion of rape, police said today.

Bramble "strenuously denies any wrongdoing", club chairman Niall Quinn said.

The 29-year-old former Ipswich Town, Newcastle United and Wigan man was questioned at a Newcastle police station after he and brother Tesfaye, 30, were arrested at a city centre hotel.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Both men have been bailed pending further inquiries."

They will answer bail on December 2.

Quinn said in a club statement: "This has been a very difficult day for everyone at the football club, no one more so than Titus, who categorically refutes the allegations that have been made against him.

"He strenuously denies any wrongdoing and will be doing everything within his power to clear his name.

"I as chairman, and the club as a whole, totally support Titus in his efforts and we all hope for a swift conclusion to this matter."

The brothers were detained after the alleged rape of a young woman was reported to police in the early hours of yesterday.

It is believed the alleged rape happened at the four-star Vermont Hotel, which has an entrance close to bars and nightclubs on Newcastle's quayside.

Bramble, a former England Under-21 player, was signed by Sunderland manager Steve Bruce from Wigan for a fee thought to be around £1 million in the summer.

Tesfaye, who has played international football for Montserrat, a British island in the Caribbean, is a striker for Eastern Counties League Premier Division club Leiston, in Suffolk.