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Footballer held over alleged driving test scam

LONDON (Reuters) - Wigan Athletic's French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia has been arrested over suspicion that he arranged for someone else to take part of his driving test for him, police said on Thursday.

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Source: Reuters


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N'Zogbia, who scored a last-minute winner for Wigan in their 3-2 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, was held by officers on Wednesday at a test centre in Greater Manchester.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said the player had been "badly advised."

Newspapers said staff from the centre had become suspicious about a man who turned up to take the theory part of the driving test some weeks ago.

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They reported that 23-year-old N'Zogbia was arrested as he was about to get into a car with an examiner for the practical test.

"At about 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday, police working alongside the Driving Standards Agency arrested a 23-year-old man at Sale driving test centre on suspicion of fraud by false representation," Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.

The player has been released on police bail until June 3.

"The way I see the whole situation is that Charles has been badly advised, and he's made a naive mistake," Martinez told a reporters.

"We're going to look into every single detail before I give my full side of the story but what is important is Charles has reacted in a very mature way.

"We'll collaborate with the police and with Charles to make sure we get out of this situation in a positive way."

The offence of fraud by false representation carries a maximum jail term of 10 years.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Steve Addison/Kevin Fylan)


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