Sunderland have suspended a member of their academy staff after he was arrested on suspicion of meeting a player aged under 16 following sexual grooming.
Physio Peter Howey, 60, was arrested after an allegation was made to the club by a player within their academy.
He was questioned by the police before being released under investigation.
A Sunderland spokesman said: ‘We were made aware of allegations pertaining to a member of staff. We reported the matter to Northumbria Police immediately and the individual was suspended.’
A Northumbria Police statement read: ‘Police have arrested a 60-year-old man on suspicion of meeting a male under the age of 16 following sexual grooming. He has been released under investigation.’
Howey is a former assistant head teacher at Hetton School. He coached a football team for 29 years before retiring in 2013 and has been a youth worker in Sunderland for more than 30 years.