Djibril Cisse released from custody after being questioned in blackmail case

Police in France released Djibril Cisse after taking the former Liverpool and QPR striker into custody on Tuesday as part of an investigation into an alleged case of blackmail.

Cisse was released before appearing in court.

The 34-year-old was one of four people arrested in Paris and Marseille in connection with a plot to extort France international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape, according to reports. He was reportedly questioned only because he knew the others involved.

Cisse joined Liverpool in 2004, scoring 24 goals in 79 appearances.

He left England in 2007, starting a roundabout journey across Europe, including stints at Panathinaikos and Lazio, but returned to the Premier League in 2012 with QPR. Cisse stayed a single year before moving again.

This summer, he was released by Ligue 1 club Bastia.