Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira is fully backing the signing of £22million new signing Cheick Doucoure, 22, after he became the victim of a blackmail plot with alleged blackmailers threatening to reveal his dual identity – unless , they get a cut of the deal
- Patrick Vieira has pledged his full support to Cheick Doucoure after the Crystal Palace newcomer was the victim of blackmail
- The 22-year-old Malian midfielder joined Palace for £22million from Lens last week
- However, middlemen involved in the deal claim he has a dual identity
- The player’s lawyer claims there are threats of losing documents showing he has dual nationality unless they receive a cut from the £22million deal
- The Doucoure camp insists the documents are false and will take legal action against the alleged blackmailers
Patrick Viira Cheick Doucoure then pledged his full support crystal palaceThe newcomer of became the victim of an extortion plot.
The Mali midfielder joined Palace from Lens last week for £22m but Doucoure’s lawyer has claimed middlemen involved in the deal are threatening to leak documents showing the 22-year-old has dual identity and dual citizenship has unless they receive a cut from the deal.
The Doucoure camp insists the documents are false and has promised to take legal action against the alleged blackmailers.
Speaking of before Palace’s game against Manchester United in Melbourne On Tuesday, Vieira supported his signing, saying: “I spoke to him, I also spoke to the lawyer. Of course, I and the club fully support the player.
“That was a strong statement. That’s something he as a player and we as a football club don’t accept.’
Palace will take on United at the MCG in Melbourne with just 10 senior players after being forced to leave part of the squad – including Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise – from traveling to Singapore and Australia, some due to their Covid vaccination status.
Patrick Vieira (right) has pledged his full support to Cheick Doucoure (left) after Crystal Palace’s newest signing was the victim of blackmail
Doucoure’s lawyer claimed middlemen involved in his £22million move threatened to leak documents allegedly showing he has a dual identity unless they receive a cut of the deal
“I think it’s not the ideal situation for a manager to have so many players behind him,” added Vieira.
“We will not talk about the private situation of players, whether they are vaccinated or not. I think it’s important to understand that there are players who are left behind for other reasons.
“We have so much young talent and to have that kind of experience for them I think is something incredible for them.
“We’re going to play United in front of 75,000 people and it’s exciting for them.”
Vieira said having just 10 experienced players available for his pre-season tour was “not ideal” after Wilfried Zaha (left) and Michael Olise (right) were among those left behind in Britain
Vieira ruled out the possibility of bringing Conor Gallagher back to Selhurst Park on loan after the Chelsea midfielder’s performances for Palace last season earned him an England call-up.
“Right now I don’t think there’s a chance because he’s a Chelsea player,” said the Frenchman. “He’s done fantastically well for us and is in pre-season at Chelsea.
“Honestly, we wish him all the best. I don’t think there’s any way to get him back.”
