A former Eintracht Frankfurt player is said to have attacked an NBA star in a shopping center in Belgrade. The incident ended with an arrest.
A former professional soccer player from Eintracht Frankfurt is said to have attacked an ex-NBA star in a shopping center in the Serbian capital Belgrade. The incident occurred on February 3rd and has now been heard in court.
Nikola Petković insulted Nemanja Bjelica in the shopping center’s children’s play area on Sunday evening and threatened her with a pair of scissors. Bjelica was there with his wife and children. Petković was arrested by the police and spent 48 hours in custody, as the Serbian “Srpski Telegraph” reports.
Both men are professional athletes: The 37-year-old footballer Petković played nine Bundesliga games for Eintracht Frankfurt between 2009 and 2011. Bjelica, who is 35 years old, became NBA champion in 2022 with the Golden State Warriors.
Wild insults are said to have been spoken
Media reported wild insults from Petković: “There you are, you Indian! I will fuck your family, your children and your wife and take your money,” he is said to have said. Bjelica told the police that she initially remained calm. Petković took a pair of scissors and threatened to stab him. “I’ll stab you,” he allegedly said and “I’ll wait for you in the parking lot.”
Petcoviç denied the allegations in the criminal indictment against him in an initial hearing. He himself had been repeatedly insulted by Bjelica in the past and just wanted to find out about it. What exactly is behind the dispute is not yet known. . The court initially imposed an interim injunction. Petcoviç is not allowed to approach or communicate with Bjelica and his family.
The incident is now being further investigated. Among other things, videos from surveillance cameras on site will be evaluated and other witnesses will be heard. A decision will then be made about further proceedings in the case.