ARSENAL MIDFIELDER GRANIT Xhaka has been interviewed by police over an allegation he racially abused a staff member at London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday.
The 24-year-old Switzerland international was not arrested but voluntarily attended a nearby police station after the incident was reported by a third party.
“Police were called at 19:29 on Monday, 23 January following an allegation that a member of staff had been racially abused at Heathrow Airport, Terminal Five,” said a statement issued by London’s Metropolitan force on Tuesday.
“The allegation was made by a third party.
Officers attended and spoke with a man in his 20s. He was not arrested. He voluntarily attended a west London police station where he was interviewed under caution. Enquires continue.”
Arsenal responded to the incident by saying: “This is a private matter which is in the hands of the police.”
Xhaka joined Arsenal from German Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee in excess of £30 million (35 million euros) in pre-season.
Sunday’s dismissal came just when Xhaka was starting to put a run of games together in the Gunners’ first team, but he is now set to serve a four-match ban following his second red card this season.
Arsenal star Xhaka questioned following airport racism allegations
Updated at 19.03
ARSENAL MIDFIELDER GRANIT Xhaka has been interviewed by police over an allegation he racially abused a staff member at London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday.
The 24-year-old Switzerland international was not arrested but voluntarily attended a nearby police station after the incident was reported by a third party.
According to British media reports Xhaka, shown a red card in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday, was seeing off a friend when the alleged incident took place.
“Police were called at 19:29 on Monday, 23 January following an allegation that a member of staff had been racially abused at Heathrow Airport, Terminal Five,” said a statement issued by London’s Metropolitan force on Tuesday.
“The allegation was made by a third party.
Arsenal responded to the incident by saying: “This is a private matter which is in the hands of the police.”
Xhaka joined Arsenal from German Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee in excess of £30 million (35 million euros) in pre-season.
Sunday’s dismissal came just when Xhaka was starting to put a run of games together in the Gunners’ first team, but he is now set to serve a four-match ban following his second red card this season.
- © AFP, 2017
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