A FOOTBALL COACH has been arrested in Belfast by police investigating a message advertising cocaine prices that was sent to a youth team’s group chat. 

The PSNI said the 31-year-old man was arrested in the west Belfast area this afternoon.

Images of the message have been widely shared on social media.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that the coach had been expelled from the youth league.

A spokesman for the Fonacab Development League told the paper they had triggered their “safeguarding procedures.”

“As a development league, we do not employ coaches and therefore cannot sack anyone,” the spokesman said. 

“We have already informed the relevant club from west Belfast involved and our safeguarding procedures have been activated, with the coach removed from the fixtures group. The matter is now being dealt through the appropriate channels.”

Chief Inspector Claire Hamilton of the PSNI said drugs “bring misery to individuals, families and communities”. 

“Our message is clear and simple: if you see or know of anyone who is dealing drugs in your local area, then contact us on 101 or make a report online via our website,” she said.