Two players from the same Major League Soccer club have been linked to a recent sexual assault report.
According to the report that was provided by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to The Charlotte Ledger, a 23-year-old female reported that she was sexually assaulted during the early hours of Feb. 26. The incident was not reported to police until more than a week later on March 8.
Charlotte FC forward Andre Shinyashiki has been previously linked to a police report filed. On Wednesday, The Athletic reported that another Charlotte FC forward, Nuno Santos, has been linked to the same police report. Santos is currently on loan to the team’s MLS Next Pro Team.
At this time, neither player has been charged with a crime. According to The Charlotte Ledger, the case is open but it’s inactive, which means that CMPD is not currently investigating any new information.
While Shinyashiki addressed the allegations in a tweet, he has not played or practiced for Charlotte FC in nearly two weeks. The team’s coach, Christian Lattanzio, has claimed that Shinyashiki’s absence is because of a “private” matter, per The Charlotte Ledger.
“I’d like to address the story that came out today,” Shinyashiki recently tweeted. “I fully cooperated with Charlotte Police and MLS in their separate investigations related to the incident and no charges have been filed against me. I’ve also been cleared by MLS to play. I’ll have no further comment.”
I’d like to address the story that came out today. I fully cooperated with Charlotte Police and MLS in their separate investigations related to the incident and no charges have been filed against me. I’ve also been cleared by MLS to play. I’ll have no further comment.
— Andre Shinyashiki (@AShinyashiki9) May 2, 2023
Just last week, Charlotte FC was reportedly on the verge of trading Shinyashiki to Real Salt Lake. The Athletic’s Tom Bogert reported that the two sides were close to an agreement before the deal fell apart. The deal was eventually amended, but Shinyashik remained with Charlotte.
UPDATE: Original trade between Real Salt Lake & Charlotte FC fell apart & is being amended, per sources.
Charlotte are still acquiring Justin Meram, but sending $200k GAM + $150k GAM add-ons to RSL. Andre Shinyashiki remaining at CLT.
New trade: Meram to CLT for up to $350k GAM https://t.co/xIYedr82TL
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) April 28, 2023
A Charlotte FC spokesperson told The Athletic on Tuesday that they were aware of the incident involving Shinyashiki, but they would not be commenting any further. The club also declined to comment regarding Santos.
[The Charlotte Ledger, The Athletic]
If you or someone you know was the victim of Sexual Assault, help is always available. Please call 1-800-656-4673.
