Fashanu released on bail

The footballer John Fashanu was released on police bail last night after 29 hours of questioning over allegations that he was involved in a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The Aston Villa player and Shaa Wasmund, a 23-year-old sports publicity agent, spent Thursday night and most of yesterday in custody at Southampton Central police station before being freed. Hampshire Police said they had granted the pair bail to return in one month, pending further inquiries linked to the force's investigation of match-fixing allegations.

The footballer's solicitor, Henri Brandman, said: "John Fashanu has again been released without charge. He has refuted and continues to refute that he has any knowledge of, or has had anything to do with, this affair."

The pair were arrested in London on Thursday and taken to Southampton for questioning. Hampshire Police said then that, following an allegation they had received, the pair had been arrested on suspicion that there had been a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Police said the allegation was linked with other inquiries into allegations of corruption in Premier League football matches.