Former Roma and Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan has been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.
The 36-year-old, who received 30 caps for his nation and likewise performed for Inter and Cagliari, was detained by police this morning as a part of an investigation into the motion of cocaine from South America into Europe.
A press release from the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Workplace learn: “The Federal Judicial Police of Brussels carried out 30 home searches on Monday morning as a part of a file by the Organised Crime Division of the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Workplace.
“The home searches befell primarily within the province of Antwerp and in Brussels.
“The investigation issues alleged information of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, by way of the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium.
“We are able to affirm that the footballer R.N. [Radja Nainggolan] was disadvantaged of his freedom within the context of that file. For the reason that interrogations are at present underway, and making an allowance for the precept of presumption of innocence, no additional remark can be given at this stage.”
𝙍𝘼𝘿𝙅𝘼 𝙄𝙎 𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/BmAo5ndBgR
— KSC Lokeren – Temse (@KSCLokeren) January 22, 2025
Out of retirement however straight into hassle
Nainggolan lately got here out of retirement to signal for second division facet Lokeren-Temse and scored on his debut as they drew 1-1 with Lierse on Friday.
In an announcement, his membership mentioned at the moment: “For the reason that investigation remains to be ongoing, the police providers can not remark additional. They respect the precept of presumption of innocence.
“As a membership, we be a part of them. We are able to solely affirm that the participant was absent from coaching this morning.”
Glittering profession at Serie An enormous weapons
Nainggolan made his title as a teen at Piacenza earlier than becoming a member of Cagliari in 2010, making his debut in a defeat to Inter.
His combative shows for the Sardinian outfit noticed him linked with a bunch of Italian golf equipment and he joined Roma, initially on mortgage, in January 2014 earlier than making the swap everlasting later that summer time.
A £32milion transfer to Inter adopted in June 2018, a month after he had retired from worldwide soccer after failing to make Roberto Martinez’s squad for the World Cup in Russia.
Nainggolan made simply 33 appearances for the Nerazzurri earlier than returning on mortgage to Cagliari for the 2019-20 season.
Spells at Antwerp, SPAL and Indonesian facet Bhayangkara adopted earlier than Nainggolan retired solely to re-emerge and signal for Lokeren final week.
