The Crown Prosecution Service are now examining the case of a professional footballer arrested in July 2021 on suspicion of multiple child sex offences.
Officers referred the case to prosecutors last week, more than 18 months after the player was arrested, reports the Mirror. The CPS will determine whether to bring a criminal prosecution against the player, who cannot be named until charged, after a receiving a file of evidence from Greater Manchester Police.
A timescale has not been provided. The player has been on bail since being arrested on 16 July 2021.
He was immediately suspended by his club, who confirmed in a statement at the time of arrest that they “will continue to support the authorities with their inquiries.” While on bail he has not been allowed to leave the country.
A CPS spokesperson said: “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.”
Crown prosecutors must decide if there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that pursuing a criminal prosecution is in the public interest.
They follow a code which outlines a threshold test that must be passed to proceed. No further comment will be made by the CPS until their lawyers reach a decision.
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