Police arrest Welsh football player during match after he scores winning goal

The player came off the bench and changed the game before police turned up and entered the field of play

A Welsh footballer was arrested by police officers who marched him off the pitch during a match, moments after scoring the winning goal for his team.

Jordan Evans was a second-half substitute for Baglan Dragons against Cwmbran Celtic on Saturday (September 7) and made a huge impact off the bench as he set up two goals before netting the winner to complete a 4-3 comeback win in the JD Cymru South clash.

But having changed the game, his afternoon ended around five minutes from time when police officers entered the field of play. Evans was promptly substituted and escorted from the pitch before being arrested in the changing rooms.

Video footage being circulated online shows officers on the pitch as a player makes his way off it.

South Wales Police later confirmed that they had arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of theft. However, he was later released without charge.

A statement issued by the Dragons on Monday read: "Baglan Dragons FC are aware of a video circulating on social media of an incident involving one of our players at Saturday's match.

"We would like to confirm that the player in question was substituted from the field of play on or around the 85th minute. The player in question was arrested within the changing facility.

"We can also confirm that the player in question was released by South Wales Police a few hours later without charge and with no further action. We now consider this matter closed and will not comment any further."

Player Jordan Evans has since publicly referenced the incident on social media, thanking people. In reply to one message on X which said, "not many footballers can claim a goal, assists and an arrest in one match!", he replied 'And thank you". In another reply to a post 'Is that who I think it is? Hahaha", he wrote "The one and only".

Following the match, opposition manager Simon Berry described the incident as "surreal" and "a mad few minutes".

“Fair play to him, he came on the pitch and completely transformed the game," said the Cwmbran Celtic boss. "He assisted in the two goals that drew them level and then banged in the winner.

“He played really well for 20 minutes and then the police arrived and took him away. There was a three minute stoppage in the game and Baglan were forced to substitute him before he was escorted away.

“It was a mad few minutes, a bit surreal. If they’d come a bit earlier for him before he came on we might have held onto our lead.”

The South Wales Police statement read: "Officers arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of theft, He was later released without charge."