EVERTON players want a teammate who was arrested on suspicion of child sex offences to be named publicly so that their reputations are no longer being dragged through the mud.
The alleged culprit, an international footballer who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been suspended by the club pending a police investigation, but the rest of squad are desperate for the gossip and innuendo over the player's identity to end.
It's understood that several of Everton's senior players have been pleading with club bosses to reveal the name of the 31-year-old star, who was arrested last Friday.
According to The Sun, the squad have been told not to contact their accused colleague, and are "highly agitated" by the ordeal.
"Senior Everton players have been contacted day and night by other Premier League stars, all seeking details," a source revealed.
"The players are highly agitated, they are not happy to be dragged into it."
Earlier in the week, Toffees midfielder Fabian Delph was wrongly identified as the accused player on social media.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they had arrested a married Premier League star on suspicion of "very serious" child sex offences.
Shortly after, Everton released a statement confirming that they had suspended one of their senior players, and offered police their full cooperation.
It's understood that the player's wife has moved out of their marital home and returned to her hometown.
The accused player is reportedly a household name is in his home country, where his name has been removed from a number of products which he has previously endorsed.
