Arouna Kone, the former Ivory Coast footballer, has been arrested in France following allegations of match-fixing. The 40-year-old played for several UK clubs, including Watford and Sunderland, during his career.
The allegations centre on a 2014 World Cup match, in which Ivory Coast was defeated by Nigeria. Kone scored in the match, but it is unclear at this stage whether he is accused of influencing the outcome.
Kone's arrest was confirmed by French authorities, who said he was detained on Tuesday and is being held for questioning. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
Kone's playing career spanned over a decade, during which he represented several UK clubs, including Watford, Sunderland, and Bournemouth. He scored 12 goals in 27 appearances for the Ivory Coast national team.
The match-fixing allegations come at a time when football authorities are increasing their efforts to combat corruption and protect the integrity of the sport. The UK's Football Association has implemented strict measures to prevent match-fixing, including enhanced monitoring and reporting systems.