Los Angeles  - A photograph purportedly of pop star Rihanna taken shortly after she was allegedly attacked by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown was posted online by the gossip website TMZ. com.

The image released Thursday showed the 21-year-old with deep bruises on either side of her forehead, blackened areas around her eyes and what appeared to be blood at the corners of her mouth.

The picture matched descriptions of her injuries provided by police shortly after the incident on the eve of the Grammy awards this month, but police would not confirm or deny the authenticity of the picture.

TMZ did not say how the picture came into its possession.

It was released several days after Brown, 19, apologized without confirming any of the specific allegations.

Brown was arrested the day after the incident and charged with making criminal threats. Neither Brown or Rihanna have been seen in public since then.

Brown is free on bail of 50,000 dollars and was expected in court on March 5. (dpa)