Soccer star arrested for assaulting cop

A 30-year-old man, believed to be a professional soccer player, was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning for allegedly assaulting an on-duty police officer.

Gauteng police said in a statement that the incident occurred near the N1 North and R362.

They could not yet disclose the man's identity, but said he was believed to be a professional soccer play for a local team.

"It is alleged that at about 02:00 the suspect was driving a vehicle recklessly and police stopped him," said provincial spokesperson Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng.

"The police realised that the driver was under the influence and unsteady. When asked to produce his driver's license the driver became violent and assaulted a police officer on the face with hands and (threw) car keys in his face."

Mofokeng said the suspect was overpowered and arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer, drunk driving and resisting arrest.

The man was expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's court on Tuesday.

News24

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