An expert footballer has in the present day been cleared of raping an 18-year-old woman after inviting her to his resort room for ‘Netflix and chill’ and having intercourse along with her.
Blackpool striker Beryly ‘Bez’ Lubala, 24, stated he was ‘delighted’ with the decision and eager to get again to enjoying soccer after being cleared by a jury.
The ahead thanked his authorized staff after a jury at Lewes Crown Court docket, Brighton, took lower than two hours to seek out him not responsible.
He had been accused of grabbing a girl’s hair and telling her to maintain quiet and ‘be a very good woman’ earlier than raping her in September 2019 – allegations which he denied.

Blackpool striker Beryly ‘Bez’ Lubala (pictured arriving at court docket earlier this month), 24, stated he was ‘delighted’ with the decision and eager to get again to enjoying soccer after being cleared
Talking after the decision, the participant stated: ‘I’m delighted with the decision and I wish to thank Jesus Christ my Lord and saviour.
‘Thanks to my household and associates for standing by me by means of what has been an extremely troublesome interval of my life.
‘I’d additionally wish to thank the jury, and the choose Her Honour Shani Barnes for his or her time.
‘Lastly, I wish to thank Julia Sensible QC, and my solicitor Iqbal Ahmed for his or her onerous work and assist.
‘Now {that a} jury has discovered me to be harmless of all fees I want to put this episode behind me and deal with my household, my future, and my profession as a footballer.’
Lubala was arrested in September 2019 a 12 months earlier than his switch from Crawley City FC to Blackpool for £300,000.

Talking after the decision, the participant (pictured in January 2021) stated: ‘Thanks to my household and associates for standing by me by means of what has been an extremely troublesome interval of my life’
He was not charged till January 2021 after he had already began enjoying first staff soccer for his new membership.
Lubala beforehand informed police he messaged the girl and advised she came visiting to his resort room the place they might ‘Netflix and chill’.
Through the interview he stated that they had intercourse on two events however on the evening of the allegation he didn’t need intercourse as a result of he was enjoying soccer the next day and wanted his vitality for the sport.
There have been excited gasps from his household and pal within the public gallery when the jury foreperson confirmed the decision as not responsible.

The ahead thanked his authorized staff after a jury at Lewes Crown Court docket (file picture above), Brighton, took lower than two hours to seek out him not responsible
A few of his household may be heard sobbing quietly.
Choose Shani Barnes stated: ‘Thanks all for staying so calm, I do know that was onerous for you.’
The choose informed the jury: ‘This one took on an entire new degree of stress. Folks’s lives have been on maintain.
‘You might be free to return to your lives and Mr Lubala is free to return to his.’