Let’s assume for a moment that football wonderkid Ronaldo is innocent in this latest rape claim case to shock the game.

After all the law states innocent till proven guilty and on that basis alone the player deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Yet even if the Manchester United winger is truly innocent, he remains remarkably guilty in my mind of gross stupidity for allowing himself to be put in a position where a woman can make a claim like that against him.

The last few years have been peppered with similar cases involving players from numerous clubs and incidents that were alleged to have taken place in a variety of countries.

And that by itself should be a clear enough warning to these rich and famous football stars that there are woman around who are ready to lie for their moment of fame and the possibility of making good money.

Ronaldo is only young and has a fantastic career ahead of him both for club and country. It would be tragic if he ended up throwing it all away for the sake of allowing himself to be sucked into a con.

Alternatively, of course, there is always the possibility that this time the claims are true and that Ronaldo did sexually assault the woman.

But there have been so many claims made in recent years which have turned out to be little more than hot air, I somehow can’t seem to find it in myself to believe these woman.

And that is sad because one day one of these ladies will be telling the truth but the offending player will get away with it thanks to all those who lied before her.

Woodgate’s return

Jonathan Woodgate continued his return to big time football this week when he ­ alongside Beckham ­ starred in Real Madrid’s 4-1 Champions League win.

Not only did he manage a full competitive game he also managed to score a goal – not bad for defender still finding his feet in the Spanish League.

Sadly for him, his previous performances in the famous white shirt were not as impressive and he is still on minus one in terms of goals scored for his new club.

Still, you can’t say he has failed to make an impression this season.

Pandiani’s quote

Quote of last week goes to Walter Pandiani, the Birmingham striker who has obvious delusions of grandeur about his own team.

“Aston Villa are clearly an inferior team to us and we will clearly show that this weekend,” he said in the build up to the derby.

Villa went on to win 1-0 and send Birmingham into the relegation places. Oops.

F1 woman driver

Hold onto your seats motor racing fans, a woman could be about to break into the Formula 1 world.

British driver Katherine Legge has been given the chance to test drive in a Minardi, making her the first woman to be properly involved in the male-dominated sport in over a decade.

Legge has been hugely successful in the United States Toyota Atlantic series, winning three races this season. But don¹t let the fact you have never heard of it put you off, apparently she is genuinely pretty darned good.

I, for one, would like to see a bit more female participation in Formula 1.

It might help generate a bit more interest in the sport if she were to be given the chance to compete.

And who knows? Maybe she will prove all the doubters wrong and actually give the men a proper run for their money, maybe even win a race or two.

Provided, that is, Bernie Ecclestone doesn’t decide that parallel parking should be a integral part of race days...

Sheffield Utd’s visit

And now for some good news. For me at least. Sheffield United are coming to Malta. Hoorah.

It’s already been a remarkable season for United as they have won 12 of their first 14 games to sit proudly atop the Championship.

But for them to put in the extra effort to come out here so I can watch them play and save me the money of going over there is particularly special.

Thanks Neil. And thanks tourism people too. Much appreciated.

Contact James on: [email protected]