Manchester City and England defender Kyle Walker has accepted an out of court disposal and will face no further action after allegedly exposing himself in a bar.
The 32-year-old, who was selected as part of Gareth Southgate's England squad this week and remained available for City during the probe, has been dealt with via a disposal and the matter is now closed, Cheshire Police said. Footage which appeared to show Walker flashing his private parts in front of a woman at a bar in the Wilmslow area circulated on social media earlier this month.
After the footballer voluntarily attended a police station for an interview regarding indecent exposure, Cheshire Police have now concluded their enquires and said in a statement: "On Wednesday 8 March, Cheshire Constabulary was made aware of a video circulating on social media in relation to an alleged incident at a bar in the Wilmslow area.
"Officers have now concluded their enquiries which included speaking to those directly involved. A 32-year-old man from Prestbury voluntarily attended a police station for questioning on 16 March. He has been dealt with by an out of court disposal and the matter is now closed."
On Thursday, Walker was named as part of Southgate's 25-man squad for England's upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Italy and Ukraine. The Three Lions boss revealed that he'd spoken at length with the right-back before announcing his call-up, adding: "I don't want to go too much into hypotheticals but there was no conclusive reason not to select him in the squad.
"If that changes then we've got to review the situation and he would understand that as well, but at the moment we are where we are. I think whenever I speak with a player, that's always between myself and the player. I understand the additional scrutiny on the situation but I don't think I can answer that any differently."
City manager Pep Guardiola said that the situation was a "private issue" and has only given Walker one minute of playing time since the pictures began to circulate. "We [will] solve it internally, [and] speak with him," Guardiola declared at a press conference last Friday. "This is not the place to speak about a private situation."
Asked if he needed to reminded Walker of his responsibilities, he added: "No, I spoke with him but I don't have to remind [him]. We are adults. I'm not a father. I'm a friend of his … [After] seven years I know in the past many things happen, so he and everyone can count on me on the personal issues. Everyone.
"That's the important thing. I don't have to tell [him], 'Oh, you have to behave in that way'. Come on, he's an adult and that's all. Of course not just with Kyle, with everyone, I'm there. The club is there. All the time. Everyone has to feel it. When we are here inside I like to feel they can count on us in the good and bad moments."
