Former France and Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is reportedly set to be questioned by police investigating the attack on Paris Saint-Germain women star Kheira Hamraoui.
Hamraoui, 31 years old was attacked November 4. She was being driven home by PSG team-mate Aminata Diallo, 26, when two masked men stopped the car and beat her so badly with iron bars that she required stitches.
According to Le Monde on Monday, the attackers shouted ‘you like to sleep with married men’ during the incident.
Last week, Diallo was taken into custody on suspicion that she hired the men to target Hamraoui (a PSG midfielder). Diallo is her rival for the spot in the team. France has now reported on Abidal’s involvement.
Eric Abidal, pictured with his wife Hayet, is reportedly set to be interviewed by police investigating the attack on Paris Saint-Germain women star Kheira Hamraoui
Kheira Hamraoui, 31, (left), was left needing stitches after a brutal assault on the night of November 4 – with team-mate Aminata Diallo, 26, (right) arrested in connection with it
Police were thought to be working on the theory that Diallo had hired the men to attack Hamraoui (right) in order to then take her place in the squad
Le Monde claim the attack might have had something to do with alleged relations between Hamraoui and Abidal.
Le Monde also reports that Hamraoui phoned Abidal on the morning of the attack. Since then, investigators have established that Abidal is the owner of her mobile number.
The 42-year-old Abidal has been married to his wife, Hayet Abidal, since 2003 and they have five children together. According to Le Monde, it’s possible that she might be called on as a witness. Abidal’s lawyer was contacted and said: ‘I have spoken with him, but for now I won’t tell you anything at all.’
France’s Abidal was a French player who played 67 games and finished second in 2006 World Cup. He won the Laliga title in Barcelona as well as two Champions Leagues.
Abidal was married to Hayet in 2003. They have five children.
Abidal played for France 67 times, and was twice awarded the Champions League by Barcelona
He was also a player for Lyon, Lille and Monaco during his playing career.
Abidal was first diagnosed in 2011 with a liver tumor and received a transplant a year later.
Initial investigations by police suggested that Diallo planned to attack her PSG colleague in order to force her out.
L’Equipe reported that Hamraoui and the other players were at a group meal. Diallo then offered to take Hamraoui home from the restaurant in order to visit her family, which is close to the location of her home.
Two masked men came up to Hamraoui and stopped her car. They beat Hamraoui with iron bars.
It is believed that the assault lasted for a few moments before the men ran away.
A club source said that Diallo was allegedly ‘detained” by the two attackers during the assassault but didn’t sustain any injuries.
The exact manner in which the men stopped Diallo’s car or the reason he was taken into custody isn’t known.
Hamraoui was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where she received stitches for her legs and hands.
Photograph of Diallo, (far left), playing alongside Hamraoui (second from right) for PSG
PSG’s Champions League match with Real Madrid was postponed for her inability to participate. The club stated that she had ‘personal reasons’ and that she couldn’t take part. Diallo began the match.
PSG confirmed last week Diallo had been taken into custody. A club statement stated: “Paris Saint-Germain has taken note that Aminata Dillo is being held by Versailles DRPJ this morning as part of the investigation into the assault against club players last night.”
Paris Saint-Germain condemns all violence. Club has taken every precaution to protect the well-being, safety and health of all its members as of Thursday evening November 4.
‘Paris Saint-Germain works with Versailles SRPJ in order to clarify the truth. Club members are keeping an eye on the process and will be reviewing any follow-ups.