The Paris Saint-Germain Women’s player attacked by masked men two weeks ago has revealed the timeline and grim details of her assault with an iron bar.
Kheira Hamraoui, 31, was dragged from a car being driven by PSG team-mate Aminata Diallo, 26, and beaten with an iron bar, leaving her with a number of bruises and cuts on her legs which required stitches.
Diallo was arrested last week on suspicion of organising the November 4 attack on her team-mate, who plays in the same midfield position and is a direct rival for a starting spot.
The 26-year-old has since been released from custody and has vehemently denied being part of the attack, calling the allegation a ‘perfectly artificial dramatisation.’
French police has since extended their investigation to find those responsible for the attack.
But now, French sports paper L’Equipe have released details from the police on how the attack took place, detailing how Diallo drove Hamraoui to and from a team meal in a Toyota Corolla provided by the club, dropping off another player afterwards – Sakina Karchaoui – before the attack began in Chatou, Yvelines.
‘My attacker hit me with an iron bar several times. I saw that he was mainly targeting my legs and I was trying to protect myself with my hands,’ Hamraoui told police.
Kheira Hamraoui was attacked by masked men has revealed the timeline and grim details of her assault with an iron bar (pictured right: the heavy bruising and cuts sustained on her leg)
Hamraoui’s team-mate Diallo (left) denies organising the assault after originally being arrested by French police – she was released from custody
Hamraoui was left needing stitches to her hands and legs after the attack, and missed a Champions League game last week
‘At that time, I didn’t see a weapon. They immediately start yelling: “Open the door! Open the door!” The one on my side grabbed me and pulled me out of the vehicle.
‘Before, he grabbed a rectangular iron bar that he had hidden in his pants or under his sweater.
‘He gave me a first blow from the first moments of the assault to force me out of the cabin. I fell on the road and then on the right side of the road.
‘My attacker hit me with an iron bar several times. I saw that he was mainly targeting my legs and I was trying to protect myself with my hands.
‘The scene lasted several minutes, it seemed long to me. Aminata told me it was faster. I think the two individuals fled because cars were coming into the street.
‘They started running in the direction of the traffic. We quickly lost sight of them. I think a car should be waiting for them nearby.’
Hamraoui also refers to hearing the term ‘you like to sleep with married men’ during the assault, a detail confirmed by Diallo who was being ‘detained’ by the second stranger throughout the attack.
After sustaining serious injuries, she was taken to hospital and has been told to stay off work for three weeks but she has reportedly resumed individual training – yet is being aided by a psychologist and benefits from ‘close protection set up by the club.’
In a further detail, former France and Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is reportedly set to be questioned by police investigating the attack.
Le Monde claim the attack might have had something to do with alleged relations between Hamraoui and Abidal.
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
Abidal had been married to his Hayet since 2003 and they have five children together
Le Monde adds that the day after the attack Hamraoui called Abidal up and that investigators have since established that her phone is registered in Abidal’s name.
The 42-year-old Abidal has been married to his wife, Hayet Abidal, since 2003 and they have five children together. Le Monde say it is possible she could be called upon 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.’
Diallo, meanwhile, released a statement this week about the allegations: ‘Aminata Diallo deplores the perfectly artificial dramatisation of a rivalry between her and Kheira Hamraoui which would justify her taking it out on her team-mate.
‘This theory does not correspond in any way to the true nature of their relationship.
‘Other much more serious leads are now being looked at by investigators, which do not implicate my client in any way.
‘Aminata Diallo regrets the media uproar which had already sentenced her, with no basis, and she would like to emphasise that she will not hesitate to defend her rights through legal action, if necessary, against all defamation.’
Diallo (far left) started in place of the injured Hamraoui (second right) in midfield against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, a game the team won 4-0
Hamraoui was unable to take part in PSG’s Champions League game with Real Madrid last Tuesday, with the club saying at the time that she sat the match out for ‘personal reasons. Diallo started the match instead.
Hamraoui has spent the majority of her career playing in France’s Division 1 Féminine. She played for Hénin-Beaumont and Saint-Étienne before spending four seasons at PSG between 2012 and 2016.
She then signed for Lyon where she won the Champions League twice and the Coupe de France Féminine twice, with Lyon finishing top of Division 1 twice.
Hamraoui then went to Barcelona where she helped her team to their first ever Champions League final but missed the game due to a red card suspension, which Barcelona lost to Lyon 4-1.
During her second season at Barcelona she helped the team to an historic treble win of the Primera División title, Champions League and Copa de la Reina.
Hamraoui returned to PSG in July this year, saying: ‘I’ve reached all my objectives with Barcelona.’
Meanwhile Diallo singed for PSG in 2016 – the same year Hamraoui left – and has played for them for two seasons.
Diallo was driving Hamraoui home from a team meal when her car was stopped by two masked men who beat her teammate but left her unscathed
She spent most of the 2020 season on loan to the Utah Royals in America, and part of the 2021 season on loan with Atlético de Madrid Femenino.
They both started together for the game on October 10 versus Guingamp and October 31 for the game against Dijon but in the Women’s Champions League, Hamraoui started the first two matches with Diallo on the bench but the 31-year-old missed the third game last week due to the injuries sustained.
Hamraoui was re-called to the France squad after a two-year absence for their 2023 World Cup qualifying matches last month but had to withdraw due to a calf injury, with Diallo called up in her place.
However, Diallo did not feature in either of France’s games against Estonia or Kazakhstan.