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| Premier League player to face no further action on child sexual abuse allegations | |
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| Greater Manchester police confirms case against unnamed footballer arrested in 2021 has been dropped | Greater Manchester police confirms case against unnamed footballer arrested in 2021 has been dropped |
| Greater Manchester police are to take no further action against a Premier League footballer who was arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse offences. | Greater Manchester police are to take no further action against a Premier League footballer who was arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse offences. |
| The unnamed player had been arrested in connection with an investigation that began in June 2021. | The unnamed player had been arrested in connection with an investigation that began in June 2021. |
| The player, who has been on police bail, was suspended by his club, which said it would support the authorities with their inquiries. | The player, who has been on police bail, was suspended by his club, which said it would support the authorities with their inquiries. |
| The Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence from police in late January. | The Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence from police in late January. |
| A CPS spokesperson said at the time: “We received a file of evidence from Greater Manchester police on 31 January 2023 following an investigation into allegations of multiple sexual offences. We are considering this material in line with our legal test.” | A CPS spokesperson said at the time: “We received a file of evidence from Greater Manchester police on 31 January 2023 following an investigation into allegations of multiple sexual offences. We are considering this material in line with our legal test.” |
| On Friday, police said the man would face no further action, adding: “The investigation team and Crown Prosecution Service have been working together and reached the decision that the evidence available at this time does not reach the threshold set out on the code for crown prosecutors.“Greater Manchester police is committed to investigating allegations to secure the best possible outcomes for all involved and will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure individuals are supported throughout investigations and beyond.” | On Friday, police said the man would face no further action, adding: “The investigation team and Crown Prosecution Service have been working together and reached the decision that the evidence available at this time does not reach the threshold set out on the code for crown prosecutors.“Greater Manchester police is committed to investigating allegations to secure the best possible outcomes for all involved and will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure individuals are supported throughout investigations and beyond.” |
| The case had been the subject of widespread speculation that led to the then attorney general, Michael Ellis, warning the public to be careful about discussing it. | The case had been the subject of widespread speculation that led to the then attorney general, Michael Ellis, warning the public to be careful about discussing it. |
| “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and everyone deserves a fair trial,” he told the Guardian. “A misjudged tweet or post could have grave repercussions and interfere with a trial. It could mean a trial is delayed or at worst stopped because a fair trial isn’t possible – so I would caution everyone, don’t get in the way of justice being done. | “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and everyone deserves a fair trial,” he told the Guardian. “A misjudged tweet or post could have grave repercussions and interfere with a trial. It could mean a trial is delayed or at worst stopped because a fair trial isn’t possible – so I would caution everyone, don’t get in the way of justice being done. |
| “The attorney general’s office will monitor the situation and we will review any contempt of court allegations made to us.” | “The attorney general’s office will monitor the situation and we will review any contempt of court allegations made to us.” |