George Best arrested

Former Manchester United soccer player George Best has been arrested over an allegation he indecently assaulted a young girl, police said on Tuesday.

Best, 59, was granted police bail after his arrest on June 9 in Surrey, southwest of London.

"Surrey Police has received an allegation of indecent assault against a 59-year-old man," a police spokesman said in a statement. "The allegations concern a girl under the age of 13 and is said to have taken place in May at an address in Surrey.

"We are not prepared to discuss details of this allegation, which we are currently investigating."

Best

is already on police bail after being arrested earlier this month in connection with an allegation he assaulted a woman.

Best and his agent Philip Hughes could not be reached for comment. An unnamed source close to Best told Tuesday's Sun newspaper that he denied the indecent assault claim.

"He totally denies this ever happened," the source was quoted as saying. "The child abuse claim has devastated George."

Belfast-born Best is widely regarded as one of soccer's all-time great players. He played 37 times for Northern Ireland and scored 136 goals for Manchester United before quitting top class football aged 26.

He later fought alcoholism and underwent a liver transplant in 2002.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.