BERLIN, Nov 22 — Former Argentina international left-back Diego Placente has been arrested in Germany over tax fraud, German regional newspaper WAZ said yesterday.

The charges relate to Placente's four-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen from 2001-2005, when he was in his pomp.

The 36-year-old, who although not retired is currently without a club having left Argentinos Juniors at the end of last season, is under provisional detention said WAZ, citing the Cologne prosecutor.

Placente played 22 times for Argentina from 2000 to 2005, appeared in the Champions League final with Leverkusen in 2002 and won the French Ligue 1 title with Bordeaux in 2009.

He also played for Argentine giants River Plate and San Lorenzo as well as Spaniards Celta Vigo in a career that began in 1995. — AFP