Striker’s fondness for woven textiles proves costly

As a karmic punishment for sporting a ropey perm, former Nottingham Forest goal machine Pierre van Hooijdonk has been conned out of £2m after investing in a Chinese textile company. The Dutchman, whose hair stylist may not be identified, was one of at least sixteen Europeans who backed a firm that was actually a front for Chinese gangsters:

Six men aged between 32 and 58 have been arrested in The Netherlands. A seventh, 38, was nabbed in Belgium.

A spokesman for Dutch cops in Den Bosch said: “All seven are charged with fraud, money laundering, embezzlement and participating in a criminal organisation.

“We can confirm Pierre van Hooijdonk is among the victims.

“This is a substantial