BBC News issued an on-air apology after mistakenly showing an image of the wrong footballer (soccer player) during its report on a case about another player arrested over alleged sexual offenses.

During its July 14 morning sports bulletin, the BBC News channel showed an image of Chelsea player Raheem Sterling behind sports presenter Mike Bushell while reporting on an update on the arrest.

Another presenter later explained that the mistake was due to a "technical error" and that Sterling was "wholly unconnected" with the allegations.

"In our sports bulletin earlier, owing to a technical error the wrong picture appeared in connection with a story of a Premier League player arrested over alleged sexual offenses," BBC News said.

"A picture of a different and wholly unconnected player was shown. We apologize for that mistake," the channel further said.

The image of Sterling is believed to have been used in an earlier story about his recent club transfer from Manchester City to Chelsea.

The arrest report was in reference to another player who was arrested in Barret, north London on July 4 for allegedly raping a woman in her 20s in June.

Police further arrested the player, who has not been named, while in custody over allegedly raping another woman in April and June 2021.

The player denies the allegations and has been bailed until August.

On July 13, a Premier League club, which has also not been named, confirmed that it is not currently taking any action against the player.