SPAIN NEWS
What do we know about the stabbing of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal’s father?
Mounir Nasraoui was stabbed several times in a parking lot on Wednesday, with four people arrested over the attack.
The stabbing of the father of FC Barcelona soccer star Lamine Yamal, which took place in a parking lot in north-eastern Spain on Wednesday night, has prompted a police investigation that has led four individuals to be arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
What condition is the victim in after stabbing?
Mounir Nasraoui, who was stabbed three times, once in the chest and twice in the abdomen, remains in the Hospital Can Ruti in Badalona, a town just outside Barcelona. His injuries are understood not to be life-threatening. According to sources connected to the case, one of the knife wounds Nasraoui received came very close to damaging vital organs.
If Nasraoui’s family decides to make it public, a medical update on his condition is expected to be released later today.
Kept in ICU to avoid media glare
Nasraoui remains in the intensive care unit at the Hospital Can Ruti - a decision largely made to preserve his privacy and that of other patients. Were he to be transferred to a regular ward, the hospital management believes, it would become more difficult to control the media attention on his presence at the medical centre.
Soon after the knife attack occurred in Mataró, a town located some 12 miles to the north-east of Barcelona, police detained three individuals suspected of carrying out the stabbing. On Thursday morning, investigators revealed that they had arrested a fourth person believed to be involved in the incident.
The assault took place on Calle Frank Marshall, in Mataró‘s Rocafonda neighbourhood, after Nasraoui had been involved in another incident with three of the suspects earlier in the day. According to the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, this is not the first time that Lamine Yamal’s father has been in altercations in Mataró, despite the fact that he does not live there. Per eyewitnesses to the initial incident, the three men could be seen arguing with Nasraoui and throwing water on him.
Lamine trains with Barça, in close contact with family
Lamine Yamal, who is preparing for the new soccer season with FC Barcelona, trained alongside his team-mates today, with his club colleagues at pains to offer him their support. The 17-year-old is in constant contact with family members who are with his father in hospital, but has not yet visited Nasraoui.
Held at a police station in Mataró, the four arrested individuals are currently awaiting charge.