PSG's Aminata Diallo arrested over suspected link to attack on teammate Kheira Hamraoui
French police arrested Paris-St. Germain midfielder Aminata Diallo on Wednesday as they investigate her possible connection to a brutal assault on teammate Kheira Hamraoui.
PSG released a statement that acknowledged that Diallo was in custody as part of the investigation into last week's attack, but didn't name the player who was assaulted.
"Paris Saint-Germain acknowledges that Aminata Diallo was remanded in police custody this morning by the Versailles SRPJ as part of the proceedings initiated following an assault last Thursday evening against the club's players.
"Paris Saint-Germain condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence committed. Since the evening of Thursday, Nov. 4, the club has taken all the necessary measures to guarantee the health, well-being and safety of its players.
"PSG is working closely with the Versailles SRPJ to shed light on the facts. The club is paying close attention to the progress of the proceedings and will study what action to take."
Hamrouai was attacked on the evening of Nov. 4 after a team gathering in Paris. Further details of the attack were reported by The New York Times.
Hamraoui had accepted a ride home from Diallo after the meal. As they were driving, the car was stopped by two men, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, who confirmed details first published by the sports newspaper L’Equipe. The women were pulled out of the vehicle, the person said, and while Diallo was held by one of the assailants, Hamraoui was assaulted.
Hamraoui was taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries to her legs and hands. According to the Times, she is currently recovering, but no additional details about her condition are available.
Diallo replaced Hamraoui in Tuesday's Champions League game against Real Madrid, which PSG won 4-0 for its third straight victory.
Those reported assault details are reminiscent of the 1994 attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. Just six weeks before the Winter Olympics, Kerrigan was attacked following a practice session in an attempt to remove her from competition. The attack was planned by Jeff Gillooly, ex-husband of Tonya Harding, one of Kerrigan's rivals and an Olympic hopeful. Harding has denied any involvement in planning the attack.