Man detained for trying to blackmail Man City over Balotelli's photographs

London, Apr 15(ANI): A man has been arrested by Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of trying to blackmail Manchester City Football Club over photos understood to be of striker Mario Balotelli swigging champagne in a nightclub.

It's believed that these photographs were clicked at Panacea nightclub in Alderley Edge, Cheshire just hours after City dramatically lost to Swansea on March 11.

The police has detained Daniel Brown, as City executives repudiated to co-operate with his alleged demands, and instead contacted the police.

"When the club was contacted with the photos of Balotelli and the demands were made, there was actually a huge sigh of relief because they expected the pictures to be far worse," The Daily Mail quoted a source close to Manchester City, as saying.

"So much has happened with Mario that we could expect anything. The photos show him with a bottle of champagne in a club," the source added.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said last night: "We are currently investigating after an allegation of blackmail was made by a Premier League football club. A man has been arrested and is on police bail while inquiries are ongoing."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Manchester City said: "We take a hard line against any individuals who attempt to commit blackmail against the club and the matter is now in the hands of the police." (ANI)