Conor McGregor is waiting for the results of ‘key physical tests’ and ‘the examination of film evidence’ before learning whether he will be re-arrested over alleged sexual assault and indecent exposure.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship star was taken into police custody on the French holiday island of Corsica last Friday following a complaint from a young woman.
She has claimed the 32-year-old Irishman assaulted her and showed off his manhood following a heavy drinking session in the upmarket port town of Calvi on September 6.
Conor McGregor is waiting for physical test results before learning if he will be re-arrested
McGregor is pictured in Calvi, Corsica on Thursday, the same day he was arrested by police
The Irishman was taken into police custody over alleged sexual assault and indecent exposure
McGregor was released on Saturday without charge, but the criminal case is still active and he could be summoned before a magistrate later this week.
‘Key physical tests were carried out on the suspect, but the results will not be known until after the weekend,’ an investigating source said on Sunday.
‘These tests are of a routine nature following incidents like this, but they take time, to make sure there is no doubt about them.
‘It is also possible that the incident being complained about was filmed. It took place in a very busy place, where fixed cameras are situated everywhere.
A woman has claimed the 32-year-old assaulted her and showed off his manhood in Corsica
McGregor was released on Saturday without charge, but the criminal case is still active
The MMA fighter was in the region to take part in a voyage to raise awareness of water safety
‘Lots of holidaymakers would also have been filming and taking pictures on their phones, so they also need to be spoken to.’
Tests for alcohol and drugs are common when suspects are arrested by police in France, especially following accusations of assault.
High Corsica, the area in which Calvi is situated, is also a coronavirus red zone where cases are on the increase.
Formal allegations were made against McGregor to police last Thursday, by an as-yet unnamed complainant, believed to be the woman victim.
This led to police raiding McGregor’s £3million yacht, which was named locally as the ‘Dave Ocean’, the next day.
McGregor made his way to the local Tramariccia Gendarmerie by bike on Friday, surrounded by bodyguards, and was then grilled by an examining magistrate and judicial police.
‘The suspect was arrested and placed in custody by the judicial authorities,’ said a spokesman for the Bastia prosecutor. ‘He was released on Saturday.’
There had been a complaint pointing toward ‘sexual assault and indecent exposure,’ said the spokesman.
French police can hold a suspect for an initial period of 48 hours before having to apply for an extension to custody, charge them, or release them.
In this case McGregor was released, but the case has not been closed, and there may be further action, the spokesman confirmed.
Emmanuelle Ramon, McGregor’s lawyer, said his client ‘vigorously denied any wrongdoing’.
‘He has been released before the legal end of police custody and without any judicial review,’ said Mr Ramon.
Audie Attar, McGregor’s manager, said in a statement: ‘I am irate and putting out a warning loud and clear: Conor McGregor is not and will not be a target for those seeking to score a headline or a payday.’
McGregor had shared photos of him online preparing for a 180km from Calvi to Monaco
McGregor was also pictured attending an event in Corsica alongside his fiancee Dee Devlin
McGregor was staying on his yacht in Corsica with his girlfriend, Dee Devlin, and their two children.
Since his brush with the law, he has been seen out running around Calvi.
McGregor had been preparing to take part in a 180-kilometer, 24-hour charity water bike race from Calvi to Monaco.
Princess Charlene of Monaco would have been alongside him to help promote water safety, but McGregor has now been forced to withdraw.
McGregor had posted pictures of the drug-testing equipment on his social media accounts