A former England international footballer has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape after being stopped by Border Force officers at Stansted Airport, according to multiple reports.
The ex-Premier League player, whose identity is being withheld for legal reasons, was intercepted on Sunday evening at passport control while attempting to board a low-cost flight out of the UK, Daily Star reported.
The arrest comes following a complaint made several weeks ago by a former partner, who alleged that the footballer had attempted to rape her during their relationship.
Specialist officers have interviewed the woman and provided her with support services, according to The Sun.
“He was going through passport control when Border Force discreetly pulled him aside. There was clearly a matter of concern, and he was escorted away,” a source told the newspaper.
Police were notified, and officers were dispatched to the airport to carry out the arrest.
The suspect was taken to a nearby police station, where standard procedures, including fingerprinting, DNA sampling, and a custody photograph, were conducted. He was questioned for several hours before being released on bail.
Essex Police issued a statement saying: “A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and has been bailed to a date in late February 2026 while our enquiries continue.”
The investigation is ongoing.
