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By John Ogunsemore
A former England international and Premier League player was arrested at London Stansted Airport on Sunday evening on suspicion of attempted rape, according to reports from multiple news outlets and a statement from Essex Police.
The suspect has not been named.
The unnamed suspect, who represented the Three Lions during the 2010s, was detained by Border Force officers at a passport control point as he attempted to board a flight with a budget airline, The Sun UK reported.
The ex-player’s travel documents reportedly flagged an active police alert related to a non-recent allegation of attempted rape made by a former partner.
Essex Police initiated the investigation several weeks ago following a complaint from the ex-partner, who claimed the incident occurred during their relationship.
Specialist sex crimes officers interviewed the complainant and provided counseling and support, sources told the newspaper.
Officers from the force were notified of the player’s location and promptly traveled to the airport to take him into custody.
He was transported to a nearby police station, where fingerprints, a DNA sample, and a mugshot were taken.
After several hours in custody, the suspect was released on bail, with conditions to return for further questioning in late February 2026.
In a brief statement, Essex Police confirmed: “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 enquiries.”
The force emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, involving the collection of corroborative evidence and background checks.
The player’s identity has not been publicly disclosed due to legal restrictions in the UK, which protect suspects until charges are formally filed.
Telegraph Sport reported that it had verified the individual’s details but withheld the name in line with reporting guidelines.
