Arsenal footballers Mesut Özil and Sead Kolasinac ‘caught in middle of gang dispute’
The Arsenal footballers Mesut Özil and Sead Kolasinac are under 24-hour protection by security guards amid claims that they have been caught up in a war between rival gangs.
Two men were arrested after turning up at Özil’s home near Hampstead Heath, north London, on Thursday. It was claimed that they had an altercation with the footballer’s security staff and were being held on suspected public order offences. Incidents were also reported outside Kolasinac’s home, also in north London.
Both players were
left out of the Arsenal squad for yesterday’s 1-0 away win against Saudi Sportswashing Machine because of “further security incidents”. Police said that they had received “credible threats” and the decision not to play them because of this is believed to be unprecedented in English football. The pair were given permission to
remain with their families in London.
Last month the players were the victims of a carjacking attempt by an armed gang on mopeds. Footage on social media showed Kolasinac, a German-born Bosnian international, chasing the robbers near Golders Green after getting out of Özil’s Mercedes G-Class 4x4.
Unknown to the footballers, eastern European gangsters are believed to have warned against any future attacks on the pair. This has led to an escalation of threats by a rival gang.
Kolasinac’s wife, Bella, has flown to Germany because of security concerns, according to
The Sun on Sunday. A source told the newspaper: “Word came back from the other gangsters that they would not be intimidated. To show they were serious, the thugs issued more threats to the Arsenal players and refused to be cowed. It was thought that originally the robbers wanted their watches but now they have been told that they want everything the pair have.”
After the attempted carjacking Özil, the club’s highest earner with wages of £300,000 a week, and his team-mate
took refuge in a Turkish restaurant. No arrests have been made.
There are also claims that the families of Özil, 30, who is German and of Turkish heritage, and Kolasinac, 26, have been targeted online.
When asked how the pair were coping, Unai Emery, 47, Arsenal’s manager, said: “We want to be with them as soon as possible and with normality in training.” Before the Saudi Sportswashing Machine game, Arsenal said: “The welfare of our players and their families is always a top priority and we have taken this decision following discussion with the players.” Emery said that he did not know if the players would be available for Arsenal’s match against Burnley on Saturday.
Two men aged 27 have been charged under the Public Order Act in connection with the incident outside Özil’s home, which he shares with his wife, Amine, 26, who is a former Miss Turkey winner. Ferhat Ercan, of Highgate, and Salaman Ekinci, of Tottenham, are due to appear at Highbury Corner magistrates’ court on September 6.
