Radja Nainggolan arrested in cocaine trafficking probe
Former Belgium international and AS Roma, Cagliari and Royal Antwerp midfielder Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking into Europe from South America, the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office have said.
Brussels federal police carried out 30 searches on Monday morning, mainly in the province of Antwerp and in and around Brussels as part of the investigation. Brussels' public prosecutor's office confirmed that Nainggolan was 'deprived of his liberty in connection with this case.'
After several months without a club, Nainggolan came out of retirement to play second-tier Belgian side Lokeren-Temse. He celebrated his debut with a goal straight from a corner kick last weekend.
His new team said in a statement that they only found out about his arrest from media reports.
'The club respects the presumption of innocence and therefore cannot comment further. We can only confirm that the player was absent from training this morning. The club will continue to focus on tomorrow's crucial league match against KAS Eupen. Radja Nainggolan is not eligible to play in that match anyway.'
The 36-year-old Nainggolan has made 30 appearances for Belgium but has not played for his country since March 2018.
Known for his fiery character, the central midfielder spent most of his career in Italy. Nainggolan had several disciplinary issues throughout his career. When he played for Roma in 2018, he was fined and dropped from the squad after a series of apparently drunken postings live on Instagram on New Year's Eve.
When he played for Royal Antwerp in 2022, he was suspended after he was pictured smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench. The Belgian club at the time also mentioned how his behavior could negatively affect the squad.
GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
40 minutes ago
'Complete shock': Residents of Graz in anguish after school attack: Reporter's notebook
GRAZ, Austria -- There has never been a mass shooting in Graz. Never. But at around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, a 21-year-old Austrian man walked into what is supposed to be the safest of spaces, a school, and gunned down teenagers and at least one teacher, police said, in this country's second-biggest city. Graz is a beautiful medieval city, which on Tuesday lived one of its darkest days in modern history. "Our city has never seen anything like this before. It's beyond words" Graz's mayor, Elke Kahr, told us after a memorial service at the city's main cathedral. She said it was hard to tell right now how the victims and families of those killed are really doing. "Suddenly, you're faced with questions like: How do you say goodbye to your child?" the mayor told ABC News. The mayor's eyes looked tired and bloodshot from crying after the most traumatic of days. "Every form of help" for the survivors and relatives of the victims would be forthcoming, she said in a resolute voice. Over the years, as a journalist, I've lost count of how many cities I've visited in the wake of attacks when individuals kill mercilessly for no discernible reason. Officials in Austria say they are yet to find any evidence that there was any motive behind Tuesday's attack. At a candlelight vigil for the victims in Graz's main square late on Tuesday night people gathered, trying to make sense of what appears to be the most senseless of acts. "I think the first thing is shock, to be honest. I think you can't react the other way. I think everyone in the school is in complete shock," said 24-year-old student Helene Parr, who knows people at the BORG Dreierschützengasse school, where the mass shooting took place. Parr, like others we spoke to after today's memorial service in Graz, never imagined such a horrific attack could happen in their "small city." "This is the worst-case scenario you could possibly think of," she told me. When she first saw reports of a shooting, she said, she thought it might be fake, but as more and more news came out, "the seriousness hit." When she learnt the shooting had happened in a school which she knows well, her sense of shock grew. "Schools should be a safe place," she said. Mass shootings in Austria are very rare. As Helene told me, so rare, that before today the possibility of a mass shooting occurring in her city didn't cross her mind. She is still waiting to hear if anyone she knew at the BORG Dreierschützengasse school has been affected, adding that "our heart goes out to everybody." Her friend Simon Marschnig said he first saw the news of the shooting on Instagram and felt "overwhelmed" by shock and fear. He said it would be hard for the city to deal with the level of trauma, but said "many people" have already donated blood for the victims, saying that at one point the line was a four-hour wait to donate. "That really showed us how big of a community we have in Graz," he told me. "I think it's now really time to stand together," adding that "there's really a strong community to do that." Austria has more relaxed gun ownership laws than many other European countries, so I asked Parr if she thought today's shooting would open-up the debate on whether those laws needed to change. "That's a good question," she replied.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mary Lou Retton 'determined to learn and grow' after DUI conviction
Mary Lou Retton is "determined to learn and grow" following her conviction for driving under the influence (DUI). The Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast, 57, was arrested by police in West Virginia last month after she was found behind the wheel of her Porsche in a parking lot with a bottle of wine in the passenger seat and she appeared in court on Tuesday (10.06.25) where she pleaded no contest plea to a non-aggravated DUI charge. She has now released a statement via PEOPLE apologising for her actions. It reads: "I take full responsibility for my actions. What happened was completely unacceptable. I make no excuses. To my family, friends and my fans: I have let you down, and for that I am deeply sorry. "I am determined to learn and grow from this experience, and I am committed to making positive changes in my life. I truly appreciate your concern, encouragement and continued support." Retton's attorney Edmund J. Rollo added the former sports star "asks for privacy as she moves forward with her personal and professional life". Police claimed that during the incident in West Virginia, Retton refused to have her blood tested for alcohol but three field sobriety tests confirmed she was too impaired to drive. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs; penalties and released from custody after posting a personal recognizance bond of $1,500. The former Dancing with the Stars contestant was fined $100 for the offence. The incident comes less than two years after Retton was left fighting for her life in intensive care after she was struck down with a rare form of pneumonia. Retton's daughter McKenna, 26, launched an online fundraiser to help pay for her mum's treatment because she didn't have medical insurance and it pulled in more than $459,000. The former sports star - who is mother to four daughters - went on to make a full recovery and shared an emotional open letter thanking her loved ones for all their support during such a tough time. In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "I want to express how truly blessed and thankful I am to be slowly improving and to be home with my girls, especially after my time in the hospital. "The love and support of my four amazing daughters have been a source of strength and inspiration throughout my journey. Their presence in my life is a testament to the incredible bonds of family. "My extended family, all of you, have shown me immeasurable kindness, offering prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support during my challenging times. Your love has been a beacon of hope in my life."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sue Bird's Personal Announcement Features Caitlin Clark Twist
Sue Bird's Personal Announcement Features Caitlin Clark Twist originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On Tuesday, WNBA legend Sue Bird went to social media to announce an exciting partnership she has with eBay. Advertisement The former WNBA player created her "Dream Draft" and dropped her favorite eBay picks, which includes hundreds of collectibles, signed basketball cards and jerseys from fan favorite WNBA stars including Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark, Wings rookie Paige Bueckers, Chicago Sky's Angel Reese, Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson, Los Angeles Sparks' Kelsey Plum and more. "Game knows game 🗣️ You heard @sbird10, Dream Draft is LIVE," eBay wrote in their caption on Instagram. "Collect these women's basketball cards and memorabilia, with some items starting at just 97 cents. Hit the link in bio to shop Sue's selects, only on eBay." "I've drafted a lineup of the greatest in the game, like an autographed 2024 Caitlin Clark Rookie of the Year card and a Seattle Storm jersey signed by me," Bird says in the Instagram reel. "The drop is live now." Advertisement Items range in price from 97 cents to $700, but there is something for everyone. Whether one is interested in a signed basketball from the 2003 Fever team or a rare basketball card of the LA Sparks' Cameron Brink, fans can find it all on Bird's Dream Draft page. Sue Bird, fiance of United States forward Megan Rapinoe (not pictured) looks on before the game between the United States and South Africa at Soldier Durr-USA TODAY Sports Sue Bird retired from the WNBA in 2022 and quickly transitioned into leadership and media roles. She joined the Seattle Storm ownership group, co-hosts the podcast "A Touch More" with fiancée Megan Rapinoe, and was appointed managing director of USA Basketball's women's national team last month. Related: WNBA Legend Sue Bird Has Strong Message About Caitlin Clark's Injury This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
