Germany star blackmailed for stolen Euro 2008 watch

Germany defender Arne Friedrich has been involved in a police sting after a thief attempted to bribe 5,000 euros (6,475 US dollars) from him for his Euro 2008 watch, it was reported on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Hertha Berlin captain, who has won 62 caps for Germany and played in last June’s Euro 2008 final, had his special watch stolen two months ago while he was working out in a fitness centre in Berlin’s up-market suburb Charlottenburg, reports the Bild tabloid.

The watch, engraved with Friedrich’s name and shirt number, was a limited edition time-piece by Swiss firm IWC, presented to each member of the Euro 2008 squad by the German Football Federation (DFB), and was stolen from his locker.

A few days after the theft, the thief rang Friedrich claiming to have found the watch – worth 8,900 euros (11,524 US dollars) – and demanded 5,000 euros for returning the footballer’s property.

The Germany star called police and a meeting was organised between Friedrich and the thief where the man was arrested and charged with extortion.

“Because it involves an ongoing court case, I would not like to comment,” Friedrich told Bild.

Germany lost the Euro 2008 final 1-0 to Spain.