Fulham defender Issa Diop was arrested on Sunday evening in his home city of Toulouse following allegations of “repeated death threats” against his ex-partner. The 26-year-old footballer was accused of making threats over alimony payments for their child. The couple had been together for many years, and the woman believed she was owed alimony following their split earlier this year. Diop was detained in the Jean-Jaures area of Toulouse, but he has since been released without charge. A spokesman for Toulouse prosecutors said, “There is no case to answer.”
The Allegations
According to La Depeche newspaper, the alleged victim claimed “large sums of money that Issa Diop would not be ready to pay her.” The newspaper reported that “the situation is so tense” that Diop “would have mentioned the possibility of getting rid of her indefinitely.” The woman filed a complaint last week, but investigators had to wait until the weekend to arrest Diop when he arrived from the UK.
Diop’s Defense
Diop told police that he only said the words once, after “yet another argument,” according to the source. According to a police source in Toulouse, Diop was recorded by his ex-girlfriend saying: “She winds me up, I’m going to finish her!” He thought he was solely saying the words to relatives in the southwest city – not to the woman herself – and they were not meant to be taken seriously, he has told officers. The telephone recording of Diop’s words was the main evidence against him, but his defense lawyers said it should be ruled inadmissible. The recording was made without his consent and was just banter with a family member, they said.
Diop’s Career
Diop started his football career at Toulouse FC before signing for West Ham and then transferring to Fulham. He signed a five-year contract with Fulham last August for a reported fee of £15m. The 26-year-old defender earns more than £3m a year playing for Fulham. While at West Ham in 2020, he sparked a desperate search after losing his wedding ring during a Premier League clash with Fulham.
Conclusion
Issa Diop was arrested following allegations of “repeated death threats” against his ex-partner over alimony payments for their child. The couple had been together for many years, and the woman believed she was owed alimony following their split earlier this year. Diop was detained in the Jean-Jaures area of Toulouse, but he has since been released without charge. Diop told police that he only said the words once, after “yet another argument,” and they were not meant to be taken seriously. Diop signed a five-year contract with Fulham last August for a reported fee of £15m.