Paris Saint-Germain’s Diallo has been released without charges from detention following an assault investigation involving teammate Kheira Hamraoui

After the release of Diallo from police detention broke, twitter users were quick to note the difference in coverage to that compared to when she was arrested. Some questioning why the media had gone on to damage her reputation way before investigation is concluded. Some question if innocent until proven guilty doesnt apply to black women?’

One twitter user wrote- “Aminata Diallo’s reputation has been ruined because football fans worldwide quickly cancelled and condemned her without evidence that she was guilty of the attack on her teammates. She’s been found not guilty and the entire football community worldwide is not tweeting about it.”

What’s the Story?

Aminata Diallo, a football player for PSG’s women team, has been freed from police detention. Diallo was arrested on Wednesday as part of an inquiry following an attack on teammate Kheira Hamraoui, who was injured in the leg and hand. 

Diallo was first suspected of being engaged in a premeditated attack on Hamraoui, who had her legs slashed by masked men with metal bars after a team dinner, according to several credible sources.

Diallo was arrested after playing for PSG women in the Champions League versus Real Madrid owing to Hamraoui’s injury.

After supper, Kheira Hamraoui accepted a lift home from Diallo before two men dragged the two players out of the car and attacked Hamraoui by beating her on the legs with an iron bar as Diallo was restrained by one of the two masked assailants.

The release of Aminata Diallo from police detention is noted by Paris Saint-Germain: “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.”

Prior to the 26-year-old player’s arrest, Hamraoui had raised the alarm about Diallo when she submitted a police report on the incident, stressing her teammate’s peculiar route and the sluggish pace of their car when the assailants leaped out.

Diallo, who was regarded as cooperative while in arrest, said that she was driving slowly due to the narrowness of the street. Sakina Karchaoui, their third partner who they had deposited in front of her resident before the sad occurrence, was also summoned by police to make a statement.

Diallo has subsequently made a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP) through her lawyer, calling the alleged events a “artificial dramatization” that is now being investigated along with “other far more serious leads.”

“Aminata Diallo deplores the absolutely fake depiction of a competition between herself and Kheira Hamraoui that would explain her venting her frustrations on her partner.” The statement said, “This idea does not relate in any way to the genuine nature of their connection.” Investigators are now looking into other, far more serious leads that do not link my client in any way.”

“Aminata Diallo laments the media frenzy that has already condemned her without merit, and she would like to highlight that she would not hesitate to protect her rights by legal action, if necessary, against any slander.”

Both players were absent from team training on Friday, and the club’s planned media appearance was canceled too.

Background: Aminata Diallo’s Career Progression

Aminata Diallo was born in Grenoble, France, on April 3, 1995. Diallo began playing football at a young age and became the captain of a team when she was only 11 years of age.

 The 26years old is a midfielder for Division 1 Féminine club Paris Saint-Germain. Diallo began her professional career as a kid in 2006, playing for AJA Villeneuve Grenoble until 2009. She went on to play for Lyon for a year after that.

Diallo spent three years with Claix as a senior before going to Arras and Gunigamp for a year and two years, respectively. In June 2016, she signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain Féminines.

On March 11, 2020, Diallo was loaned out to the Utah Royals for the 2020 NWSL season. Diallo then joined Atlético de Madrid Femenino on loan in 2021.

The French international has played seven times for the senior national team of France. She has also played for the U23 Women’s team, the U20 Women’s team, and the U19 Women’s team. She has made 18 appearances for the U23 Women’s team, 7 appearances for the U20 Women’s team, and 20 appearances for the U19 Women’s team. Diallo has won the French Cup (2018) and the Spanish Super Cup (2020) with Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, respectively.