Image caption Titus Bramble has also played for Newcastle and Wigan

Sunderland footballer Titus Bramble has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman in a Newcastle hotel.

The Premier League defender and his brother, Tesfaye Bramble, were arrested at the Vermont Hotel early on Wednesday and are being questioned by detectives.

The 29-year-old was arrested after a call was made to the police by a 19-year-old woman.

Niall Quinn, chairman of Sunderland Football Club said Bramble "categorically refutes" the allegation.

He added that the defender has the backing of everyone at the club.

Quinn said in a club statement: "This has been a very difficult day for everyone at the football club, no one more so than Titus, who categorically refutes the allegations that have been made against him."

International footballer

Bramble joined the club from Wigan in the summer.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said two men, aged 29 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of rape.

Bramble, a former England Under-21 team member, has also played for Newcastle United and Ipswich.

His brother has played international football for Montserrat and played in the Football League for Southend United and Stockport County.

He most recently played non-league football for Felixstowe and Walton United.