Police open investigation into former Wales international David Cotterill

South Wales Police have opened an investigation into former Wales international David Cotterill after he was accused by former team-mates of cheating them out of a combined total of almost £400,000.

As revealed by Sportsmail last year, the winger allegedly owes tens of thousands of pounds to at least seven current and former players after allegedly convincing them to invest in property schemes and asking for short-term loans.

It is understood that many of these have never been repaid, with Cotterill’s debts reported to have totalled £370,000 at the time. Since then, Sportsmail have been made aware of further former colleagues coming forward to claim they had also given money to the 32-year-old.

His largest single outstanding liability was for over £120,000, while five other players were owed in excess of £35,000. All have instructed lawyers, with most still playing.

Cotterill has come out of retirement and is playing in the Welsh Premier for Barry Town United, having signed with the semi-professional outfit in January. He was sent off in his appearance against Connah’s Quay Nomads on October 17 for kicking out at opponent Declan Poole.

At the height of his career, the midfielder was a £2million signing for Wigan in the Premier League, and was also a regular for Wales, earning 24 caps and making the squad alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey for Chris Coleman’s Euro 2016 side that reached the semi-finals in France.

He also had spells at Bristol City, Sheffield United, Swansea City and Birmingham City, before appearing to end his career in India with Atletico de Kolkata in 2018.

Cotterill has been open about suffering from mental health problems and alcoholism since originally hanging up his boots in 2018, and had set up a foundation in his own name with a view to helping those experiencing similar issues.