Former Republic of Ireland international Anthony Stokes has reportedly been arrested by armed police at London's Gatwick Airport due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Stokes arrived at the airport on a plane from Dubai, where he had been on a short break, according to the Scottish Sun.
Speaking to the newspaper, one passenger who was also on the flight said:
I heard raised voices in the cabin and we were all told to stay in our seats for them to deal with someone on the plane.
They asked for Mr Anthony C Stokes to come to the front of the plane with his luggage.
He was walked off and I later saw him and another man standing by the baggage belts.
Scottish Police have confirmed that a 31-year old man was arrested due to an outstanding warrant.
He appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court today, where it was alleged he sent 'foul-mouthed messages' to former partner Eilidh Scott, who has a a four-year non-harassment order which prohibits the Dublin native from contacting her.
The footballer was given a suspended eight-month sentence last year for for stalking his ex-partner.
Stokes spent six years at Celitc between 2010-2016, while also playing on season at Hibernian, departing in 2018. He is currently on the books at Iranian side Persepolis, whom he signed for at the end of January. However, it has been claimed he may not return to the club due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
Stokes travelled to the UAE to play in Persepolis' Asian Champions League game in the country, and while he was given permission to stay in the country for two extra days to spend time with family, he has not reported back to the club over the past couple of weeks.
A club employee, Amir Shafizadeh, has since spoken out on his absence:
Stokes said he’s in Dubai as he didn’t join us since our last match. He asked our coach for permission to stay two more days in Dubai because of his family.
Our coach agreed. We waited for him because he promised us he’d come to our training sessions.
He hasn’t returned to Tehran for two weeks. After some days, he said he couldn’t come because of coronavirus.
