Ex-Premier League star Samir Nasri ‘taken into police custody’ over alleged money laundering investigation with organised crime group

Samir Nasri was reportedly taken into custody in connection with a money laundering case involving alleged organised drug traffickers.

French publication Le Parisien claims that the former Arsenal and Manchester City star spent ten hours in custody before being released on Thursday.

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The report adds that the 39-year-old was released on the evening of July 9 without charges being filed at this stage.

Nasri was questioned at length at the offices of the Financial Investigation and Research Brigade (BRIF) of the Paris judicial police.

It was said to have been part of alleged ties to Hakim Berrebouh, a convicted Marseille drug trafficker, and his right-hand man, Olivier Sabbah.

Berrebouh, nicknamed ‘Le Marcassin’ (Wild Boar), is in prison, having been arrested in Dubai and extradited to France in 2021.

Samir Nasri spent ten hours in police custody

Le Parisien reports that Nasri was specifically questioned over money laundering.

Nasri’s ties allegedly relate to one of his activities as a former shareholder of the nightclub ‘XS’.

Despite being released on Thursday evening, the two-time Premier League winner may be summoned at a later date for possible indictment.

The 41-cap ex-France international came through the ranks as a player at Marseille prior to his 2008 transfer to Arsenal.

He spent three seasons at the Emirates Stadium before making a controversial move to Man City, where he went on to win two league titles.

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Over a decade later, Nasri still hasn’t been forgiven by some Arsenal fans, as evidenced by their behaviour towards the Frenchman while he was on punditry duties at the Emirates in October 2023.

What does Nasri do now?

The former attacking midfielder ended his career with Anderlecht in 2020 aged 34, and blamed a doping ban for curtailing his career.

Nasri is now a pundit for French TV channel Canal+, but pulled out of covering his former club Arsenal in the Champions League final over personal insults from a section of the Paris Saint-Germain faithful.

“When I was a player, I got insulted too, even on opposing pitches,” Nasri told French publication L’Equipe.

“What bothered me was that they insulted my mother, even though, well, you’ve qualified for a final, you celebrate with your players.

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“It’s not the first time I’ve been insulted in a stadium, and it certainly won’t be the last.

“And if I let it get to me, I’d quit TV, and I’d quit going to matches.”