Sunderland have suspended a member of their academy staff after he was arrested on suspicion of meeting a player aged under 16 following sexual grooming.

Physio Peter Howey, 60, was arrested after an allegation was made to the club by a player within their academy.

He was suspended by the club before being questioned by the police and then released under investigation.

Sunderland have suspended a member of staff after he was arrested on suspicion of grooming

A Sunderland spokesman said: ‘We were made aware of allegations pertaining to a member of staff. We reported the matter to Northumbria Police immediately and the individual was suspended.’

A Northumbria Police statement read: ‘Police have arrested a 60-year-old man on suspicion of meeting a male under the age of 16 following sexual grooming. He has been released under investigation.’

Howey is a former assistant head teacher at Hetton School. He coached a football team for 29 years before retiring in 2013 and has been a youth worker in Sunderland for more than 30 years.

He is not a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, nor registered as a qualified physiotherapist with the state regulator, the Health and Care Professions Council.

He has previously stated he is employed by Sunderland as a part-time physio and other employees within the club refer to him as a ‘physio’.

Sunderland say he is not employed as a ‘physiotherapist’ but does support the medical team.