Professional footballer suspended by club after being charged with rape
Hartlepool United midfielder Oliver Finney has been charged with raping a woman.
The alleged incident is said to have happened in 2022, before Finney joined Hartlepool. Cheshire Police has confirmed the 25-year-old will appear at Crewe Magistrates' Court on November 13. Hartlepool have suspended the midfielder pending the investigation.
A Hartlepool spokesperson said: "The allegation dates back to before the player joined Hartlepool United. Upon being informed of the allegation and investigation for the first time, the club immediately placed the player on suspension pending the investigation outcome. The matter is subject to an official process and therefore no further comment will made at this time."
Finney, from Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, graduated from Crewe Alexandra's academy before making 124 appearances for the Cheshire club, scoring 17 goals. He also completed loan spells at non-league sides Nantwich Town and Halesowen Town.
Finney has played 20 times for Hartlepool since joining the club in January (Getty Images)Finney joined Hartlepool from Crewe on a permanent deal in January. He's since made 20 appearances for Hartlepool, who suffered relegation to the National League at the end of last season. Finney was left out of Hartlepool's squad for their last two games.
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Finney's contract with Hartlepool is due to expire in June 2025. He's primarily a central midfielder but has been deployed as a winger.
Hartlepool are currently 12th in the National League table, having won seven of their first 17 league games. They are six points behind Altrincham in fifth, the final play-off spot.
Crewe are fifth in League Two, with seven wins from their first 15 league games. They are just a point behind Wrexham in third, the final automatic promotion place.
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