Former Arsenal star Shkodran Mustafi is facing tax charges in Germany after he was accused of failing to declare a clutch of luxury Rolex watches he had bought in London.

Centre-back Mustafi – who now plays for Levante UD in Valencia, Spain – was stopped by customs police as he flew into Frankfurt airport on 24th December.

Local media reported that he owes more than GBP 13,000 in unpaid tax.

Mustafi, 30, reportedly admitted that he had bought the watches in England but thought he did not have to declare them for tax in Germany because he had paid VAT on them.

He was reportedly on his way to visit his family in the city of Bebra, in the district of Hersfeld-Rotenburg, in northeastern Hesse, Germany, for Christmas before he was stopped.

Mustafi – part of the German team that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup – is now facing criminal charges for tax evasion of more than EUR 15,000 (GBP 13,220).

It was not disclosed whether he would face a penalty concerning the watches he’s alleged to have smuggled without paying customs duty.

A spokesperson from the Main Customs Office in Frankfurt declined to provide more information due to tax secrecy policies.

Mustafi refused to comment on the case.