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Victor Anichebe has revealed he is 'humiliated and embarrassed' after being stopped by the police on Wednesday.
The Everton forward was stopped by police, as he was looking in a jeweller shop's window in Knutsford.
A friend of Anichebe was then placed in handcuffs following suspicions the duo were part of a series of violent robberies targetting jewellers in the area.
The police have since issued an apology and Victor has released the following statement regarding the incident:
"Whilst I do fully understand Cheshire Police's desire to tackle the problem of robberies on jewellery shops in the Knutsford area, I remain deeply upset and very angry about the treatment which was meted out to myself and a friend yesterday (Wednesday).
"We were doing no more than window-shopping when we found ourselves surrounded by Police officers who accused us of attempting to steal watches. Both myself and my friend, Lee, were accused, by Cheshire Police officers, of ‘attempted theft‘. Sadly, even when I explained who I was and what I was doing, they continued to treat both of us as not just suspects but as criminals."
Anichebe is currently on crutches after undergoing knee surgery on an injury picked up against Newcastle last month.
And the Nigerian striker explained that he almost had them taken off him during questioning.
"It was not only totally ridiculous but also highly embarrassing and totally humiliating," his statement continued. "Simply because we stood our ground and insisted that we had done absolutely nothing wrong, they decided to place my friend in handcuffs. I am currently having to use crutches to walk as I recently underwent surgery on a knee injury and - astonishingly - one of the officers even tried to grab the crutches in order to prevent me from ‘escaping'.
"After what seemed like an eternity the Police officers seemed to realise that they had made a mistake, acknowledging that I was a footballer with Premiership club and not someone who was preparing to commit a crime.
"At the time, I asked the officers if they would have taken the action they did had I been white rather than black. Whilst I do not wish to turn this unfortunate and unnecessary incident into a race issue, I believe it is a question which does need to be asked.
"I am pro-Police - always have been and always will be. However, on this occasion they clearly got things badly wrong.
"Whilst both myself and my friend welcome the statement which has been issued by Cheshire Police this afternoon, we do not feel it constitutes the unreserved apology we were seeking and which we believe is justified under the circumstances."
Louise Davies
This is a absoltue disgrace by the Police. Accusing him and his mate. The police need to get there act together. He derserves a full apology.
Agree with Louise?
Tuesday 17th Mar 2009 15:28