Former Paris Saint Germain midfielder Kheira Hamraoui has filed a legal claim worth 3.5m euros against PSG, asserting that the club forced her out following the violent iron bar attack that shocked the football world in 2021. Hamraoui, who is now 35 years old and playing for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, says PSG failed to protect her and allowed an atmosphere of hostility to grow around her after the incident. The attack occurred in November 2021 as Hamraoui was returning home from a team dinner. She was travelling in a car driven by her team mate Aminata Diallo when two masked men ambushed the vehicle. Hamraoui was pulled out and her legs were repeatedly hit with an iron bar, leaving her with significant injuries. Diallo, who was competing with Hamraoui for a midfield position at PSG, was later detained by authorities and charged with organising the assault. She has denied the accusations, and the case remains under judicial review.
Hamraoui departure from PSG linked to severe iron bar attack case
Hamraoui now claims that what happened after the attack caused even deeper emotional harm. In her filing with an employment tribunal in Paris, she says she became a target of continuous moral harassment from within the PSG squad. Her lawyer, Pascal Pierre Garbarini, stated that forwards Marie Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani refused to pass her the ball during matches and that she was treated with disdain in training sessions. According to Garbarini, Hamraoui endured an environment where she was isolated on the pitch, ignored in the changing room and subjected to hostile messages on social media. He argued that PSG leadership not only failed to intervene but also did nothing to prevent the worsening tensions among players. Hamraoui is seeking compensation for moral harassment, lack of security protections, failure to prevent workplace harassment, emotional distress and loss of professional opportunities.
PSGs lawyer Benjamin Louzier rejected the accusations and said that Hamraoui never presented a medical certificate proving she suffered harassment. He also stated that she did not formally notify PSG or the club employees council about any mistreatment, arguing that the club therefore cannot be held responsible. The tribunal is expected to release its verdict in mid December. The case surrounding the attack on Hamraoui has broadened over time. Along with Diallo, six other individuals were charged in connection with the assault. Although prosecutors announced in early 2025 that their investigation phase had concluded, the judicial case itself is still active. Hamraoui has had a long and successful career, representing France internationally and playing for several major European clubs, including Barcelona, Lyon and Saint Etienne. The hearing at the tribunal took place in a crowded courtroom and came just before another employment dispute involving PSG and former star Kylian Mbappe. As the legal battle continues, the case has once again raised questions about internal dynamics at PSG and how the club handled one of the most shocking incidents ever linked to the womens team.
source:BBC
