Zurich cops under fire for handcuffing footballer
FC Zurich has launched a complaint with police after the football team’s captain, Yassine Chikhaoui, was forcibly arrested and handcuffed on the Bahnhoffstrasse.
Chikhaoui, 28, was with his wife in the chic Zurich shopping precinct last Wednesday when he was confronted by city police officers, who suspected him of being a pickpocket, the TagesAnzeiger newspaper reported online on Monday.
The lanky (1.89 metres tall) Tunisian national player defended himself and after a scuffle ended up being forced to the ground face down, where he was cuffed in front of his shocked spouse and passersby, the daily said.
The midfielder was taken to a police station where after questioning he was released as officers realized there had been a “misunderstanding”, Tages Anzeiger said.
Chikhaoui, described as a quiet, reserved person and a devout Muslim has not commented publicly on the episode.
However, he informed FC Zurich president Ancillo Canepa, who complained about the incident to city police chief, Richard Wolff, Tages Anzeiger said.
Wolff has agreed to discuss the matter with Chikhaoui but the meeting is not set until July because the footballer will be out of the country playing for the Tunisian national football team and on holidays, as well as training in Germany.
Comments
See Also
Chikhaoui, 28, was with his wife in the chic Zurich shopping precinct last Wednesday when he was confronted by city police officers, who suspected him of being a pickpocket, the TagesAnzeiger newspaper reported online on Monday.
The lanky (1.89 metres tall) Tunisian national player defended himself and after a scuffle ended up being forced to the ground face down, where he was cuffed in front of his shocked spouse and passersby, the daily said.
The midfielder was taken to a police station where after questioning he was released as officers realized there had been a “misunderstanding”, Tages Anzeiger said.
Chikhaoui, described as a quiet, reserved person and a devout Muslim has not commented publicly on the episode.
However, he informed FC Zurich president Ancillo Canepa, who complained about the incident to city police chief, Richard Wolff, Tages Anzeiger said.
Wolff has agreed to discuss the matter with Chikhaoui but the meeting is not set until July because the footballer will be out of the country playing for the Tunisian national football team and on holidays, as well as training in Germany.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.