TOTTENHAM star Yves Bissouma has had his £260,000 watch stolen after brazen muggers sprayed tear gas in his face outside a five star hotel in France.
The £30million midfielder and his wife were attacked as they arrived at a luxury hotel in Cannes at the weekend.
Two hooded men reportedly pounced on Bissouma, 27, as he got out of his car outside the Majestic Barriere hotel at around 4am on Sunday.
The former Brighton star told police he tried to take refuge inside the five-star property, but its doors were locked.
The robbers then allegedly sprayed tear gas in his face before ripping a £260,000 watch from his wrist.
They made off in a car, leaving the player and his WAG shocked and dismayed.
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French national police have opened an inquiry.
The incident took place on the Promenade de la Croisette, up-market Cannes’ swankiest street.
Bissouma and his partner returned to England later on Sunday.
They had been due to spend several days’ holiday at the French resort.
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A spokesperson for Tottenham told The Sun: “We are aware of the incident that took place and we will continue to check on the welfare of Yves and his family.”
The shocking incident is the second blow this year for the Mali international, who contracted malaria while on international duty in January.
He caught the potentially fatal infection at the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, ironically the country of his birth.
Bissouma spent four seasons with Brighton, scoring six goals in 124 games, before Spurs paid £30m for him in 2022.
He has since made 56 appearances for the north Londoners.
The midfielder spent two seasons with French club Lille before landing his move to Brighton.
Watch thefts have plagued Cannes in recent years, with over 30 incidents reported since January 2023.
Bissouma is just the latest footballer to be targeted by robbers following a spate of terrifying raids on star’s homes across England.
Newcastle players Alexander Isak and Joelinton, England stars Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling, and West Ham defender Kurt Zouma have all been victims of theft in the past 12 months.
In 2023, there were five burglaries alone on the homes of footballers.
This prompted the former boss of a national intelligence unit focused on series organised crime to issue a chilling warning.
Supt Carl Williams suggested the gangs are scouring social media feeds to learn players’ timetables.
He added: “In today’s world where many wealthy individuals are active on social media their significant public profile can help make them targets.
“Their high-value possessions are often on display as well as information about their plans.”
But the true reason behind the spate of high-end robberies could be even more sinister.
It is feared the thieves, many of whom reside in Albania, are flying into the UK specifically to burgle Prem stars.
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They will then flee the country – often wearing the stolen goods while going through airport security.
Many of the stars have been targeted by “away day” looters who will strike when teams travel for their games.
Recent footballers targeted by thieves
By Tom Malley
Alexander Isak – April 2024
Newcastle forward Alexander Isak is one of the most recent footballers to be targeted by thieves after his luxury home was raided in April.
Professional robbers struck the Swede’s luxury home just 48 hours before he played in the Toon’s 1-0 win at Fulham on April 5.
It was not known whether Isak, 24, or any family were at home at the time but cops confirmed a car was stolen and later found abandoned three miles away from the property.
Kevin Volland – February 2024
Germany and Union Berlin striker Volland had his £150,000 watch stolen by a street performer whilst on a night out in Berlin in February.
Volland had been celebrating Union Berlin’s 1-0 win over Hoffenheim alongside team-mate Jerome Roussillon when his watch was nabbed while he was distracted.
Roussillon subsequently ran after the perpetrator and caught him before retrieving the watch.
Joelinton – January 2024
Like his Newcastle team-mate Isak, midfielder Joelinton was also the subject of a sickening home break-in when three burglars entered his mansion.
The injured Brazilian had been watching his team take on Man City from the sidelines when he got an alert that thugs had entered his house.
While at St James’ Park he immediately contacted the police who raced to the address in Northumberland, only to find the attackers had already fled.
Jack Grealish – December 2023
In December, Man City star Jack Grealish’s £5.6million Cheshire pad was raided by thieves while he was playing.
His loved ones, including partner Sasha Attwood, were forced to take cover as cops rushed to the £5.6million home to avoid a potential hostage situation.
The robbers made off with £1million worth of jewellery and watches, while Grealish’s family were left “really shaken” in the horror.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
