A former England and Premier League footballer was detained at Stansted Airport in April following his arrival on a budget airline flight from Europe.
The unnamed player was arrested at passport control on suspicion of breaching a non-molestation order.
The incident occurred on 27 April when Border Force officials apparently flagged an issue as the footballer attempted to enter the UK, according to The Sun.
Essex Police officers were subsequently called to the scene.
A former England and Premier League footballer was detained at Stansted Airport in April following his arrival on a budget airline flight from Europe
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The arrest took place in the arrivals area of the busy airport, where numerous passengers had already recognised the former international player during their shared journey from what was described as a popular European destination.
According to a source, the footballer had attracted considerable attention throughout his journey.
"He had already been recognised by lots of people on the plane journey so it wasn't as if he was keeping a low profile," the source said.
The former England star arrested at Stansted was 'attracting plenty of attention'
PA
"He played for England and in the Premier League so he was attracting plenty of attention."
The onlooker described the scene at passport control: "You can imagine it was a huge surprise for other passengers at the airport when they saw him being spoken to by police officers at passport control."
"It caused quite a kerfuffle as there were lots of other passengers around in the arrivals area of Stansted where he was arrested."
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Essex Police confirmed the arrest to the newspaper, with a spokesman stating: "A man was arrested at Stansted Airport on April 27 on suspicion of breaching a non-molestation order, and has been released on bail."
The source indicated that the footballer was "questioned for a while and then taken away by the police" after the issue was identified at passport control.
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Individuals who breach court orders can face criminal prosecution, with potential consequences including imprisonment depending on the circumstances of the violation.
The arrest occurred at what the source described as "a very busy airport" where the footballer "had travelled from a popular European destination on a budget airline."
Police attended the scene at Stansted Airport
PA
They suggested that "it seemed as if an issue was flagged up to the Border Force officers at passport control at Stansted, which led to police being called."
Non-molestation orders are typically issued by courts to protect individuals from harassment or abuse.
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