Shocking moment football player is ARRESTED on pitch after scoring winning goal
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An amateur Welsh footballer was arrested on suspicion of theft minutes after scoring the winning goal in a non-league fixture over the weekend.
South Wales Police were forced to explain the situation after the 31-year-old was released without charge just days after the bizarre footage went viral.
In a video which circulated on social media, two police officers stormed onto the pitch and escorted one of the players away from the scene who was in the middle of playing.
The non-league player was initially benched ahead of Baglan Dragons clash with Cwmbran Celtic on Saturday.
Jordan Evans, who later came forward as the player on social media, was substituted onto the pitch in the second half and made a huge impact.
The 31-year-old set up two goals and netted the winner to complete a remarkable 4-3 victory after trailing 3-1 in the JD Cymru South clash.
During his arrest, fans were heard applauding his glorious performance.
In a string of social media posts, Evans was asked if he was given a parking ticket.
He replied: "I don’t pay parking. The ground is named after me. The Evans Bevans."
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Responding to a user who joked it was "criminal" for Baglan Dragons' manager not to start the 31-year-old, Evans simply said: "I agree."
Cwmbran Celtic boss Simon Berry described the incident as "surreal" and a “mad few minutes”.
He added: "Fair play to him, he came on the pitch and completely transformed the game.
He assisted in the two goals that drew them level and then banged in the winner.
"He played really well for 20 minutes and then the police arrived and took him away. There was a three-minute stoppage in the game and Baglan was forced to substitute him before he was escorted away.
The game was turned on its head with a second-half substitution
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"It was a mad few minutes, a bit surreal. If they’d come a bit earlier for him before he came on we might have held onto our lead."
However, South Wales Police has since confirmed the 31-year-old man was released without charge.
A spokesman for the South Wales Police said: "Officers arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of theft. He was later released without charge."
Following the force’s statement, Baglan Dragons said: "Baglan Dragons FC are aware of a video circulating on social media of an incident involving one of our players at Saturday's match.
"We would like to confirm that the player in question was substituted from the field of play on or around the 85th minute.
"The player in question was arrested within the changing facility.
"We can also confirm that the player in question was released by South Wales Police a few hours later without charge and with no further action.
"We now consider this matter closed and will not comment any further."