PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have cancelled their Friday morning press conference following the arrest of Aminata Diallo in connection to an attack on a team-mate.
French newspaper L’Equipe says the team are training behind closed doors with the club left stunned after masked men attacked Khiera Hamraoui with an iron bar.
Hamraoui, 31, a midfielder with 36 France caps, was set upon by two masked men in Paris on November 4, in what is thought to have been an attempt to prevent her playing.
She was left needing stitches on her legs and hands and was unable to play in the match against Real Madrid on November 9.
The former Barcelona ace and another PSG team-mate were being driven home by Diallo after a meal out when she was pulled out of the car and attacked.
Diallo, 26, was allegedly restrained by one assailant but did not suffer any physical injuries.
PSG’s press conference cancellation comes amid reports in France stating players are alleged to have received anonymous derogatory phone calls about Hamraoui.
Le Journal du Dimanche reports investigators believe the calls originated from near the prison of Lyon-Corbas.
The newspaper reports a man, who is thought to be a relative of the Diallo and is alleged to have been involved in extortion cases, is an inmate at the prison.
L’Equipe adds Versailles prosecutors granted police permission to hold Diallo in custody for a further 24 hours on Wednesday following her arrest.
The midfielder has since been released from custody without charge.
In an official statement, PSG said they ‘strongly condemns the violence committed’ and that they ‘had taken all the necessary measures to guarantee its players’ health, well-being, and safety.’
The French champions also said: “Paris Saint-Germain is working with the Versailles SRPJ to shed light on the facts. The club is attentive to the progress of the procedure and will study the follow-up to be given to it.”
Hamraoui and Diallo are in competition for the holding midfield spot in PSG’s starting 11.
Diallo has made 64 appearances for PSG following her move to the club from top-flight rivals Guingamp in 2016.
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The midfielder has been on two loan spells following her arrival in Paris with stints at US club Utah Royals and Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid.
She has made seven appearances for the French national team since making her senior international debut in 2017.
Hamraoui moved back to PSG on a two-year deal in July after leaving the club in 2016 for spells at Lyon and Barcelona.
The midfielder was part of the Barca side that defeated Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League final in May this year.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
