The head of the Croatian football federation was arrested at Gatwick Airport on suspicion of shoplifting ahead of his country's Euro 2008 match against England.
Zorislav Srebric, 67 - general secretary of Croatia's FA - was held in WHSmith at the West Sussex airport's South Terminal after allegedly stealing stationery.
He was arrested in front of stunned players shortly after arriving at the airport on Tuesday, the Sun newspaper reported.
Officials at the Croatian Football Federation (CFF) insisted there was a "misunderstanding".
Mr Srebric was later released without charge, a Sussex Police spokesman said. "There will be no further action taken," the spokesman said.
CFF spokesman Iva Olivari said: "There has been a misunderstanding but we will be issuing a statement later in relation to this matter."
Vlatka Jandel, a spokeswoman for the CFF in Zagreb, said: "That is unbelievable. I cannot imagine him stealing anything."
England play Croatia at Wembley in a deciding match crucial to the Three Lions' Euro 2008 hopes.
Steve McClaren's men know a draw will be enough to qualify them for next summer's tournament.
England were thrown a lifeline on Saturday when Israel beat Russia at home, meaning just a point from the Croatia game will ensure they qualify ahead of Russia, who travel to Andorra. If England lose, Russia will take the second qualification spot from Group E with a win. Group leaders Croatia have already qualified for the tournament.
