Aldon Smith held after ‘airport bomb threat’

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An American professional football player was arrested at Los Angeles International airport after making a bomb threat, officials have said.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, 24, made the threat after a dispute during a security screening on Sunday, police said.

The 49ers said they were “disappointed” but would not comment further.

Mr Smith took a five-game leave of absence from the team last season to attend treatment for substance abuse.

He rejoined the team on 5 November, saying he was on the path to lifelong sobriety.

On Sunday, Mr Smith was randomly selected for additional screening at the airport and “became belligerent and unco-operative”, according to airport police Sgt Karla Ortiz.

Mr Smith told an airport security agent that he had a bomb before walking to the gate, she said.

When airport police officers caught up with him, Mr Smith was taken into custody.