A Premier League footballer arrested on suspicion of child sex offences will face no further action, police said.
The footballer was first held in July 2021, bailed pending further inquiries by police and suspended by his club.
He has been under investigation for almost two years but on Friday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said he will face no further action.
In a statement, GMP said: “The 33-year-old man who was arrested in connection with an investigation opened in June 2021 will face no further action.
“The investigation team and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) 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 footballer, who police have not identified, has since left the Premier League club he was with at the time of his arrest.
A CPS spokesperson confirmed in February that GMP had referred the case to prosecutors more than 18 months after the player was arrested. After a receiving a file of evidence from police, the CPS were to determine whether to bring a criminal prosecution against the player, with no timescale provided.
To charge someone with a criminal offence, prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, and that prosecuting is in the public interest.
