The cuckoo-plot crooks left the female occupant surrounded by hundreds of plants.

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But when police raided the home, the player had to prove his innocence to avoid charges.

Police also released the tenant without charge after deciding she was set up by the gang.

A source told The Sun: “This player owns the house in the North West as part of a buy-to-let empire.

“Another family member manages the properties but they couldn’t believe it when cops found a large-scale cannabis farm.

“The plants were taken away and destroyed and the player had to show paperwork to prove that while he was the owner of the property, he had someone else living in it.”

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, production and possession of cannabis with the intent to supply is a criminal offence that can result in up to 14 years in jail.

Landlords who fail to report suspicions of illegal activity can be liable and face the same penalty.

Rental income could also be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The number of cannabis farms operating in homes is growing.

In June, more than 1,000 were raided, with plants worth £130million seized and 1,000 suspects arrested.

Single plants are often attributed a value of £840 in criminal trials.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has said: “Organised networks involved in cannabis production are also directly linked to other serious criminality such as Class A drug importation, slavery, violence and exploitation.”