Rape charges dropped against Arsenal's van Persie

The rape charges against Robin van Persie, seen here in May 2005, have been dropped due to lack of evidence, the court heading the investigation against the Arsenal star announced.

The rape charges against Robin van Persie have been dropped due to lack of evidence, the court heading the investigation against the Arsenal star announced.

"The inquiry's conclusion is that there's insufficient proof that non-consensual sexual acts took place.." a statement from the Dutch prosecutor's office reported.

Van Persie was arrested on June 13 last year after a woman filed charges against him when he was staying in a Rotterdam hotel with the Dutch squad for World Cup qualifiers against Romania and Finland.

The 22-year-old spent two weeks in custody.

According to statements made to the police and reported in the Dutch press last August the woman said she wanted to have sex with the "nice" van Persie but not a foursome with his two friends.

Tuesday's statement from the Dutch prosecutor's office added: "At first he denied having sexual contact. But in light of statements from others involved that didn't seem credible, and he admitted to sexual contact, confirming the words of the accused."