Footballer arrested after brutal attack leaves teammate in hospital
Police have arrested a female football star from the France national team over alleged links to a brutal attack on one of her Paris Saint-Germain teammates by masked assailants.
PSG midfielder Aminata Diallo has been taken into custody by Versailles police in connection with the attack on her teammate, Kheira Hamraoui last week.
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Hamraoui and Diallo are PSG teammates and the midfielders also play for France’s national team.
Several French media reports said Hamraoui was attacked following an evening out with Diallo and another teammate, who has not been identified.
Broadcaster BFM TV reported that Diallo was driving them back home when several people wearing masks attacked, and that Hamraoui was hit several times with a metal bar and needed stitches to her hands and legs.
L’Equipe newspaper reported that Hamraoui was dragged out of the vehicle by armed men in masks, before being hit on the legs with an iron bar.
A source at the club told AFP that Diallo was briefly held by the masked assailants during the attack near Hamraoui’s home, however she was not injured.
Hamraoui required hospital treatment for injuries to her hands and legs and was a notable absentee in PSG's Champions League game midweek, where Diallo took her position in central midfield.
PSG condemns attack on Kheira Hamraoui
PSG released a statement to confirm the incident and express its outrage over the shocking attack.
“Paris Saint-Germain condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence committed,” PSG said.
“Since Thursday evening the club has taken all necessary measures to guarantee the health, well-being and safety of its entire women’s team.”
PSG says it is working closely with the Versailles police to clarify the facts.
“The club is paying close attention to the progress of the proceedings and will study what action to take,” PSG said.
Diallo started in midfield for PSG on Tuesday night in a 4-0 home win against Real Madrid in the group stage of the Champions League.
Hamraoui rejoined PSG in the offseason from Barcelona, who knocked PSG out in the semi-finals of last season's Champions League.
Hamraoui previously played for PSG from 2012-16, the year Diallo joined from French side Guingamp.
with agencies
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