A Premier League footballer arrested on suspicion of child sex offences will face no further action, police said.
The footballer was first held in June 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 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.’
At the time of his arrest the footballer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was under contract at Premier League club Everton.
‘Everton can confirm it has suspended a player pending a police investigation,’ the club said in a statement nearly two years ago.
‘The club will continue to support the authorities with their inquiries and will not be making any further statement at this time.’
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