Everton footballer Victor Anichebe wants an apology from British police after he and a friend were held outside a jewellery shop which officers suspected they planned to raid, the club said Thursday.
The 20-year-old Nigerian striker and a friend were window shopping in exclusive Knutsford, near Manchester, northwest England Wednesday when they were stopped by police and Anichebe’s friend was handcuffed.
Police said the pair were spotted acting “suspiciously” and that Anichebe’s friend was cuffed during “a heated dialogue” about what they were doing there.
But they were not arrested and police said there had been “no criminal conduct whatsover on behalf of the two men concerned”.
Everton spokesman Ian Ross said: “Victor was deeply upset and very distressed by the incident. I believe he is still waiting for a full and unreserved apology from the police involved.
“Once he has received that, both the club and the player will consider the matter closed.”
Police said that in the wake of a string of violent robberies in the area, closed circuit television (CCTV) camera operators had been monitoring jewellers’ shops closely and alerted police to “two men acting suspiciously”.
Anichebe is currently wearing a leg cast after being injured in a game against Newcastle United in February and has been ruled out of Everton’s plans for the rest of the season.
