In Paris last autumn, the footballer Kheira Hamraoui endured a brutal assault that drew widespread attention. French authorities reported the arrest of three suspects on Wednesday, as confirmed by Le Journal du Dimanche and Agence France-Presse. The individuals, one of whom has a prior criminal record, were taken into custody at a residence on the outskirts of the capital and are currently detained at a police station for questions related to the case.
Investigators believe the three were involved in the attack on the former Barcelona midfielder while she was traveling in a car on November 4. Hamraoui had been returning from a team dinner with Aminata Diallo, a former teammate. According to the investigation, assailants pulled Hamraoui from the vehicle and struck her legs with a metallic bar, causing serious injuries that temporarily sidelined her from France’s national team duties. The incident shocked fans and the football world, highlighting concerns about safety and the pressures athletes face off the field.
Hamraoui later recalled the incident in public remarks from June, describing the pain and fear she felt at the scene. She said she believed she might not survive and that the experience left her physically and emotionally scarred, taking days to begin recovering and facing a storm of media attention in its wake.
Case expands its reach to Diallo and Abidal
Diallo, who had previously shared Hamraoui’s position on the field, faced scrutiny over possible sporting jealousy related to the attack. Although she testified at a police station, she was not charged in connection with the incident. The case grew more intricate when it emerged that Hamraoui and former Barcelona player Eric Abidal reportedly had a romantic link during their time with Barça, drawing renewed attention to the broader web of relationships surrounding the parties involved. Hamraoui has publicly stated that Abidal’s name is not connected to the attack, emphasizing that ongoing investigations would uncover the truth.
Over recent months, there has been limited public information about the police’s progress in the case. Authorities have not released definitive details about the profiles of the three detainees, and officials have suggested that investigators are examining possible connections between the players and their broader networks to understand what motivated the assault. The pursuit of answers continues as the legal process unfolds and the public awaits clarity on the events of that autumn night.