NIGERIA, Dec. 2 -- As he passed through passport control before boarding a planned flight, Border Force officers halted the player, whose identification is shielded under UK legislation.

Police sources say the arrest is the result of an ex-partner's complaint, which led Essex Police to begin investigating what has been characterized as a "non-recent" event.

Officers had been notified of the possibility that the player might try to leave the nation, hence the coordinated activity at the airport.

The News Chronicle gathered that attempts were made to keep public attention away during the arrest; airport personnel gently escorted the former foreigner away from the queue following a flag in regular inspections.

Following his arrest, the f...