Junya Ito back training with Reims despite sexual assault investigation

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Japan winger Junya Ito returned to training with French club Reims on Tuesday despite allegations of sexual assault being made against him.

Ito returned from Qatar over the weekend and did not figure in Japan's 2-1 Asian Cup quarter-final defeat to Iran on Saturday.

Reims, based in the Champagne region, posted a photo of Ito as well as club team-mate and compatriot Keito Nakamura back on the training field on Tuesday.

Japanese police said on Thursday they had opened a probe against 30-year-old Ito after accusations were made by two women.

According to Japanese media the incidents happened in June 2023 in Osaka, after Japan's home game with Peru.

Ito has denied any wrongdoing, Kyodo news agency reported, quoting his lawyer as saying the claims were "totally unfounded".

While Ito did spend time with the two women, their accounts are inconsistent and there is no physical evidence supporting their allegations, Kyodo quoted the unnamed lawyer as saying.