Israeli footballer questioned by police over sex abuse video

An Israeli footballer has been questioned by police after being caught on film carrying out a serious of sex acts on a seemingly unconscious woman.

Antony Varenne, who plays for top-flight side Beitar Jerusalem, was filmed alongside three other men – two of whom are also footballers – sexually abusing the woman.

Telling teammates he was “embarrassed and sorry” after the footage emerged, police detained and questioned the men on Wednesday, after an official complaint was made by MK Merav Michaeli on Sunday.

The video was shot several years ago when Varenne was at a different club. After the footage emerged last week and was spread on social media, the 27-year-old French-born striker told Mako News: “I’ve stumbled. It happened only once and will never happen again. I will have to live with the shame and insult all my life. Those who know me know this is out of character.”

Varrene’s lawyer, Haim Abergel, claimed on Tuesday to have footage and text messages which proved the acts had been consensual.

Meanwhile, Beitar Nordia, who are based in Jerusalem and play in the third tier of Israeli football, has said it is suspending its player Michael Ross, who appeared in the video, until the conclusion of the police investigation.