Paris Saint-Germain confirmed Thursday that midfielder Aminata Diallo was released from police custody. Diallo was taken into custody on Wednesday as part of an investigation into an attack on teammate Kheira Hamraoui which left the 21-year-old with leg and hand injuries.
"The club continues to support its players to allow them to overcome this ordeal as soon as possible," read the PSG statement. "Paris Saint-Germain reiterates its confidence in the justice system to shed full light on the events. The club would like to thank everyone for showing restraint and respecting the presumption of innocence as well as the privacy of the team."
Diallo, 26, who was taken into custody Wednesday as part of the proceedings opened by the Regional Police Service of Versailles, was not charged when she was released as the police are still conducting an investigation.
According to French sports daily L'Equipe and the New York Times, Diallo was initially accused of being involved in a premeditated attack on Hamraoui, who had her legs hit by masked men armed with metal bars after a team meal.
Diallo's arrest came after she played for PSG women against Real Madrid in the Champions League due to Hamraoui's injuries.
The summer arrival from Barcelona reportedly accepted a ride home from Diallo post-dinner before two men stopped the car, pulled the two women out and assaulted Hamraoui while Diallo was held by one of the two masked assailants.
Diallo has since issued a statement via her lawyer to Agence France-Presse (AFP) which calls the reported events an "artificial dramatization" with "other much more serious leads" now being looked at.
"Aminata Diallo deplores the perfectly artificial dramatization of a rivalry between her and Kheira Hamraoui which would justify her taking it out on her teammate. This theory does not correspond in any way to the true nature of their relationship," read the statement. 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 emphasize that she will not hesitate to defend her rights through legal action, if necessary, against all defamation."
As of Monday, former Barcelona director of football Eric Abidal was also in the investigation's sights with the ex-player's lawyer telling RMC Sport: "If Eric Abidal is to be questioned at the request of the Versailles public prosecutor, he will go explain himself without a problem. However, Mr. Abidal still does not understand how he could be linked directly or indirectly to this assault."
The incident initially drew a parallel with the 1994 attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan who was hit with a police baton as part of a plan devised by the ex-husband of rival skater Tonya Harding. The attack ultimately forced Kerrigan out of the U.S. Championships and secured Harding's '94 Olympics squad berth, though Kerrigan was awarded a spot on the team as well.
Kerrigan went on to win Olympic silver while Harding has denied involvement but pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution.
