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'Gang posed as FANS to lure Spurs star' before stealing £260k watch in mugging

03 June 2024 , 15:57
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Bissouma and his partner had attempted to seek refuge inside their hotel - only to find the doors were locked
Bissouma and his partner had attempted to seek refuge inside their hotel - only to find the doors were locked

TOTTENHAM star Yves Bissouma was lured by a gang posing as fans wanting a selfie before he was tear gassed and mugged, police have revealed.

The Spurs midfielder, 27, was robbed of his £260,000 Richard Mille luxury watch as he arrived at a French hotel with his girlfriend in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Spurs midfielder Yves Bissouma had his £26,000 Richard Mille watch stolen after being tear gassed and mugged by masked men posing as fans eidekiqtiqrtprw
Spurs midfielder Yves Bissouma had his £26,000 Richard Mille watch stolen after being tear gassed and mugged by masked men posing as fansCredit: Rex
The Mali international seen seen wearing one of the luxury watches
The Mali international seen seen wearing one of the luxury watchesCredit: instagram
Bissouma is known to show off his impressive clothing and jewellery collection
Bissouma is known to show off his impressive clothing and jewellery collectionCredit: Instagram
The Premier League midfielder pictured standing in front of his car wearing another of his luxury watches
The Premier League midfielder pictured standing in front of his car wearing another of his luxury watchesCredit: Instagram

Two masked men also ripped three diamond rings off his unidentified partner's fingers as they tried to check into the five-star Majestic Barriere hotel in Cannes at around 4am.

Officers in the French Riviera resort described how the pair were confronted by the criminals, with Bissouma telling police he tried to take refuge inside the five-star property - but its doors were locked.

"They were clearly part of a very well organised gang," a local judicial police source said.

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"Both were waiting outside the hotel, and struck when the couple were dropped off by a chauffer-driven limousine at about 4am.

"At first the men acted as is they want to pose for photographs with the star, but then it became clear they were wearing masks.

"The couple tried to get into the hotel, but were confronted with a locked door, and then gas was sprayed in their faces.

"A Richard Mille watch was taken, along with three diamond rings, before the men escaped in a Renault Megane."

Bissouma and his girlfriend were so shocked and dismayed by the attack that they returned to London within a few hours. 

They had been due to spend several days' holiday at the French resort.

A spokesperson for Tottenham told The Sun: "We are aware of the incident that took place and we will continue to check on the welfare of Yves and his family."

Prosecutors in Cannes have opened a criminal enquiry into the robbery, while police and gendarmes try to find those responsible.

They are hoping that some of the attack may have been captured on CCTV, along with the car’s number plate. 

The source said such attacks were increasingly common across France, and especially in upmarket towns such as Cannes in recent years, with over 30 incidents reported since January 2023.

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Two watches worth around £200,000 each were stolen during the annual Film Festival last month, which attracts celebrities from all over the world, and especially Hollywood. 

Brands such as Richard Mille, Patek Philippe and Rolex are targeted because they can easily be sold off for more than cost price on the secondary watch market.

Bissouma was born in French-speaking Ivory Coast, but now represents Mali as an international. 

The shocking incident comes as a second major blow to the midfielder this year, having contracted malaria while on international duty in January during the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. 

Bissouma spent four seasons with Brighton & Hove Albion, scoring six goals in 124 games, before Spurs paid £30million for him in 2022.

The defensive midfielder also spent two seasons with French club Lille before moving to the UK.

Bissouma and his girlfriend were robbed outside the 5-star Majestic Barriere hotel in Cannes at around 4am on Sunday
Bissouma and his girlfriend were robbed outside the 5-star Majestic Barriere hotel in Cannes at around 4am on SundayCredit: Getty
Bissouma has since returned to England following Sunday's attack
Bissouma has since returned to England following Sunday's attackCredit: Rex
The former Brighton ace has already suffered one major setback this year when he caught malaria representing Mali at AFCON in the Ivory Coast in January
The former Brighton ace has already suffered one major setback this year when he caught malaria representing Mali at AFCON in the Ivory Coast in JanuaryCredit: Getty

Peter Allen

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