England have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in a convincing fashion. They won all their 8 qualifying games without even conceding a goal.
Now, the England fans are dreaming of lifting the coveted World Cup trophy. However, one ex-England and Premier League star is not having a great time.
A former England international was arrested at Stansted Airport after an allegation of attempted rape surfaced from an ex-partner.
The player, whose name is still unknown, was stopped at passport control on Sunday night.
Border Force officials flagged that he was wanted in connection with a non-recent allegation. Essex Police officers travelled to the airport and arrested him before he could board his flight.
He was then taken to a local police station, where standard procedures were carried out, including a DNA sample, fingerprints, and a custody photograph. Detectives questioned him for several hours.
The allegation was made several weeks ago, prompting a formal investigation by specialist sex-crimes officers.
The complainant has already been interviewed and offered counselling and support as the inquiry continues.
The arrest has caused confusion among those close to the situation, as the former Premier League player has appeared at several public events in recent weeks.
One source described the airport arrest as “bizarre” given how visible he has been.
The ex-England star, who represented his country during the 2010s, has since been released on bail as police continue their inquiries.
Essex Police confirmed (via The Sun):
“A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and has been bailed to a date in late February 2026 while we continue our inquiries.”
So, the investigation remains ongoing, with officers continuing to gather evidence and follow up lines of inquiry linked to the allegation.
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