January 28 – Serie A champion, and former Belgian international, Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe from South America.
The Brussels public prosecutor confirmed that the player was “deprived of his liberty in connection with this case” after Brussels Federal Police carried out multiple searches mainly in the province of Antwerp and in and around Brussels. The investigation has focused on the alleged importation of cocaine from South America via the port of Antwerp.
Nainggolan 36, was a quick, dynamic, hard-working, physically strong, and versatile midfielder who had recently been without a club before coming out of retirement to play for Belgian side Lokeren-Temse, who play in the second-tier of Belgian football. He had only made his debut last week scoring in spectacular fashion, directly from a corner kick.
His new club were understandably shocked, saying in a statement: “The club respects the presumption of innocence and therefore cannot comment further. We can only confirm that the player was absent from training this morning. The club will continue to focus on tomorrow’s crucial league match against KAS Eupen. Radja Nainggolan is not eligible to play in that match anyway.”
Nainggolan, has had a colourful career, playing most notably for Roma and Inter Milan, where he won a Serie A title, however disciplinary issues have followed him. In 2018, while playing for Roma he was fined and dropped from the squad for a match after posting a video of himself appearing to be drunk and smoking during a party on New Year’s Eve.
He followed that up with even stranger behaviour while playing for Royal Antwerp in 2022. He was suspended after he was pictured smoking an electronic cigarette on the team bench, prompting the club to say how his behaviour could negatively affect the squad.
Nainggolan, isn’t the first footballer to find himself caught up in drug smuggling and probably won’t be the last.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1738198544labto1738198544ofdlr1738198544owedi1738198544sni@o1738198544fni1738198544