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Border staff were given a helping hand when a Newcastle United star stepped in as translator as they arrested a man suspected of entering the country illegally.

Officials at Newcastle Airport stopped a passenger attempting to enter the UK from EasyJet’s Geneva to Newcastle flight on September 7 after he attempted to enter the UK using a fake passport.

The man claimed to only speak French, leaving Border Force officers unable to communicate with him.

After a call was put out asking for a passenger who spoke French and English, Toon midfielder Gabriel Obertan, who was returning to the North East following a trip to Paris, stepped forward and was happy to act as an impromptu interpreter.

The unlikely translator relayed information as Border Force officials interrogated the man about his passport and identity, allowing officers to confirm he was Congolese - not French as his passport suggested.

A witness told the Chronicle: “Staff looked for a French-speaking passenger and unknowingly come across Newcastle United player Gabriel Obertan returning from Paris, in France.

“He agreed to give up some of his time to do some translation.

“Through his assistance, Border Force staff acquired sufficient information to foil the man and find out his true identity and origins.”

Obertan joined Newcastle from Manchester United in 2011 on has scored twice in more than 50 league games, including the goal that broke Newcastle’s winless streak last October against Leicester City.

He was an unused substitute during the club’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham on Monday night.

Watch Gabriel Obertan say Geordie phrases

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It is thought many of the Border Force staff at Newcastle Airport are multi-lingual but none of the workers on duty at the time could speak French.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Border Force officers arrested a 21-year-old Congolese man at Newcastle Airport on suspicion of possessing false documents.”

It is understood a man has been released while a case for asylum is processed and, if unsuccessful, he will be deported.

A spokesman for Newcastle United said the incident was a personal matter and Obertan did not wish to comment further.