Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira backs Cheick Doucoure who claims he’s a victim of blackmail plot targetting him as he signs for the club.
Reports emerged this week with the 22 year old, joining the Eagles for £22m, receiving a threat by alleged extortionists who claim they will reveal he has a double identity – unless they receive a cut from the deal.
The Mali midfielder joined Palace from Lens last week, but Doucoure’s lawyer has alleged that middle men involved in the deal are threatening to leak documents claiming to show that the player has a double identity and dual nationality unless they receive a cut from the deal.
Doucoure’s camp are adament that the documents are false and have promised to take legal action against the alleged extortionists.
New Crystal Palace signing Cheick Doucoure ‘victim of blackmail and extortion attempts’ @SamJDean https://t.co/0Xshp7dfUa
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) July 18, 2022
Speaking ahead of Palace’s game against fellow Premier League side Manchester United in Melbourne on Tuesday, Vieira backed his new signing, saying: ‘I spoke to him, I spoke to the lawyer as well. Of course, myself and the club are fully supporting the player.
‘That was a strong statement. This is something that him as a player and us as a football club we don’t accept.’
In a press release, Alexis Rutman, Doucoure’s lawyer, alleged that an agent, photographer and a journalist are threatening to expose Doucoure for having a “double identity” unless they cough up, with the group have bombarded Doucoure and his representatives with Whatsapp messages and what they say is evidence in the days since he signed for Palace.
Rutman insists their claims are based on “false documents” and has threatened criminal and civil legal action.
He’s here and he’s perfect 🙌#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 11, 2022
In a statement, Rutman said: “Since the announcement of his transfer from RC Lens to Crystal Palace, Mr. Cheick Oumar Doucoure and his entourage are victims of blackmail and an attempt at extortion from several individuals acting in concert (a players’ agent and a photographer, supported by a journalist), clearly lured by the profits supposedly generated by this transaction.
“These individuals claim, with false evidence, that my client would have a double identity and demand the payment of a sum of money in return for their silence.
“Several Whatsapp messages to this effect, accompanied by false documents, have thus been addressed to my client and his entourage over the past few days.
“This situation is very serious and obviously unacceptable.
“My client and his entourage will not yield anything in the face of such actions which expose their perpetrators face severe criminal penalties.
“All appropriate legal actions will therefore be taken, both criminally and civilly, against these three individuals but also against all those who would support, endorse or relay, in any form whatsoever, such actions and/or such slanderous accusations.”
Palace take on United at the MCG in Melbourne with only 10 senior players after being forced to leave a number of the squad.
This includes the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise, meaning we will not see them for the trips in Singapore and Australia, some due to their Covid vaccination status.
‘I think it’s not the ideal situation for a manager to have so many players behind,’ added Vieira.
‘We are not going to talk about the private situation of players, if they are vaccinated or not. I think it’s important to understand that there are players who are staying behind for a different reason.
‘We have so many young talents, and to have this kind of experience for them I think it’s something unbelievable for them.
‘We are going to play United in front of 75,000 people and that is an excitement for them.’
Meanwhile, Vieira effectively ruled out the possibility of bringing Conor Gallagher back to Selhurst Park on loan after the Chelsea midfielder’s performances for Palace last season earned him an England call-up.
‘At the moment I don’t think there is any chance because he is a Chelsea player,’ said the Frenchman. ‘He did fantastically well for us and he’s in the pre-season with Chelsea.
‘Honestly, we wish him all the best. I don’t think there is a way to get him back.’
Welcome to Palace, Cheick Doucouré ❤️💙#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 11, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login