Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has been released by police after being detained for questioning as part of an investigation into a blackmail case.
Cisse was raided at dawn and arrested in an investigation into a plot to blackmail his former team-mate and France international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
Armed police swooped on former Barclays Premier League forward Cisse in Paris at 6am among a series of coordinated raids across France.
The Versailles prosecutor's office said in a statement that Cisse was released without appearing before a judge.
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse, pictured with his partner Marie-Cecile Lenzini (left), has been arrested regarding a plot to blackmail former team-mate and France international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape
France star Valbuena is pictured alongside his partner Fanny Lafon - it is unclear whether the alleged sex tape that is said to involve the midfielder features anyone else, or who they are
Lyon midfielder Valbuena was asked for money in return for the tape not being published, it is alleged
Cisse has played in the Barclays Premier League with Liverpool, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers
Valbuena and Cisse are pictured together from their time as team-mates with Marseille in 2008
Cisse, who played for Liverpool, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers in the Barclays Premier League across three spells in England, is one of four men in custody facing charges that could see them imprisoned by up to five years.
It all relates to a judicial investigation opened in July under the orders of a judge sitting in Versailles, west of Paris. Cisse is said to have been part of a plot to extort money from Valbuena.
The 31-year-old Lyon midfielder, who has been frequently linked with a move to the Premier League, was asked for cash in return for the tape not being published, it is alleged.
The latest allegations are particularly shocking, because Cisse and Valbuena played for France together, and for Marseille between 2006 and 2008, and were considered friends.
A statement released by the Versailles prosecutor confirmed that ‘Djibril Cisse was taken into custody’ by Versailles judicial police officers.
The three other suspects, aged between 25 and 30, were arrested in the Bouches-du-Rhone and Oise regions of France.
All of the other suspects are known to the police, and have convictions for ‘delinquent behaviour’, including blackmail, according to another source close to the case.
He said all had links ‘with football agents’, and that the raids were launched following a ‘detailed investigation’ that included phone taps.
Cisse is due to appear on the French version of Strictly Come Dancing, 'Danse avec les stars', this month
The French forward celebrates scoring for QPR during his last spell in England, a short stay at Loftus Road
The source said the existence of the tape – which is said to show Valbuena and a girl involved in sex acts – had not been confirmed, and that it is thought the gang was asking for between £40,000-£75,000.
Cisse himself was the victim of a sex tape scandal in 2008, while playing for Marseille. He received a number of phone calls demanding more than £100,000 to prevent a tape of him having sex appearing online.
Cisse reported the matter to the police, and a blackmailer was later arrested. He had a cheque for the equivalent of £7,000 from Cisse, and it was said to be the ‘first installment’ of the blackmail demand, according to police.
Cisse and Valbuena celebrate at the Stade Velodrome after a goal against Valenciennes in May 2008
The pair have played together for France, and are pictured here flanking striker Nicolas Anelka
Lawyers working with the striker have suggested that he will be swiftly released and cleared of any wrong doing.
Valbuena trained as normal with Lyon on Monday, and his laywers have not commented.
Cisse, 34, joined Saint-Pierroise in the Reunion Premier League, the top division in the French overseas territory Reunion located east of Madagascar, this summer.
He signed a month-long deal with the 850,000-population island-based club but is now due to appear on the French version of Strictly Come Dancing, ‘Danse avec les stars’, later this month.
Last week, Cisse attacked his ex-wife for appearing on a Channel 5 reality TV programme. He branded Jude Cisse ‘a disgrace’ for featuring in Britain’s Flashiest Families.
The progamme showed Ms Cisse, who celebrated her divorce with a party and three-tiered cake depicting a headless groom, shopping for a Porsche
Last week, Cisse attacked his ex-wife Jude Cisse for appearing on a Channel 5 reality TV programme
Valbuena and Cisse joke around during France training in 2010 as Bayern star Franck Ribery watches on
Cisse was particularly angry that his former partner had allowed their three children to be filmed.
In three separate posts on Twitter, Cisse said: ‘Omg u go crying that u dont have enought money to raise rhe kids and u go flasing on cars f....... Joke u r a disgrace.
‘Dont worry i will tell my side of the story u cant full people like this u punk.
‘Showing off the kids on national tv what a joke this is a f..... Disgrace i will not accept this c***.’
He later shared a photo showing him with new love Marie-Cecile Lenzini, writing: ‘After 4 years u still talking about me? Get a life do like me find love.’
Cisse first came into the public eye in England when he was signed by Gerard Houllier for a Liverpool club-record fee of £14.5m in 2004, becoming the first non-English speaking player to hold the Anfield side’s transfer record.
Cisse is currently preparing to appear on 'Danse avec les stars' alongside dancer Silvia Notargiacomo
