Süleyman Koc, 21, is currently signed to third-division Bundesliga side SV Babelsberg 03, which is based in Potsdam. Police allege he is a ringleader of the gang that robbed eight amusement arcades in February.

The club said it had been informed of the accusations against the player but did not want to comment further.

Six men aged between 17 and 22 were arrested on Monday morning by police investigating the robberies of at least eight amusement arcades in the Moabit and Wedding neighbourhoods. Police said that the pattern was the same in each case, with punters and staff beaten and attacked with pepper spray.

The group was arrested at the home of one of the suspected bandits in the Wedding area shortly after the robbery of a poker machine venue nearby.

Koc’s transfer value is €150,000 according to daily Berliner Kurier.

The Local/djw