MARSEILLE’S BRAZILIAN STRIKER Brandao was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman earlier this month.

Police said the 30-year-old player was arrested at his house in the morning and then taken into custody to be questioned as part of the investigation.

The woman, whose identity was not revealed, said Brandao sexually assaulted her in a car while driving her home following a night out in a club of the nearby town of Aix-en-Provence.

Patricia Clusan, Brandao’s lawyer, said the player “totally denies” the accusation.

“He is very calm, very serene, very sure of himself about all of this,” Clusan told RMC radio on Tuesday.

“He wouldn’t be the first player this type of misfortune has happened to. You have to be very careful.”

Brandao, a burly forward renowned for his strength and heading ability, has scored only one league goal in 19 games so far this season. But coach Didier Deschamps still considers him a key part of his team.

Defending champion Marseille, who are currently fourth in France’s Ligue 1, are away to second-place Rennes on Friday night. Marseille then travel to play Manchester United in the Champions League last-16 return leg next Tuesday.

– Associated Press