The 65-year-old father of an 11-year-old girl who was left alone at their Paphos home while he travelled to Albania to watch a football match was arrested upon his return to Paphos airport on Friday.

The girl was found by police following a tip-off from the family’s neighbours, who told authorities she had been left unsupervised since the morning.

The girl reportedly told police that she was alone and that her father had left on a trip the previous day.

According to newspaper Politis, the 65-year-old had travelled to Albania to watch Pafos FC’s match against Dinamo Tirana.

The girl has since been placed in the care of social services.

The match finished in a 1-1 draw.