Arrested footballer 'distraught'

William 'Winkie' Murphy is the captain of Linfield

Linfield captain William 'Winkie' Murphy has been arrested while on a stag trip to Spain, the football club has confirmed.

The 35-year-old defender was arrested in Torremolinos on Friday night.

The club believes he is being held over an incident in Spain in 2007 when he was arrested after allegedly passing counterfeit money.

According to the club, he was granted bail, but apparently did not return to Spain to face a subsequent charge.

'Distraught'

Mr Murphy had returned to Spain with other players and friends on a stag trip when he was detained in Torremolinos and is currently in prison there.

Linfield manager David Jeffrey said his player was distraught.

"It's a particulary distressing thing when you think of his wife over here, and not really knowing what is going on," he said.

"We know that there was a hearing yesterday, we were told that he will be moved to Madrid. We're getting snippets of information.

"Our thoughts are with him and his family and we just don't know how it is going to be resolved."