Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Yves Bissouma was tempted by a gang in France posing as fans requesting a selfie before he was tear-gassed and robbed, based on information shared by the police.
Yves Bissouma Robbed In France
Bissouma was robbed of his £260,000 Richard Mille luxury watch as he arrived at a French hotel with his partner in the early hours of Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Two masked men apparently also stole three diamond rings off his yet-to-be-identified girlfriend’s fingers as they made efforts to check into the five-star Majestic Barriere hotel in Cannes at about 4 am.
Officers in the French Riviera resort shared how the duo were challenged by the criminals, with Yves Bissouma informing police that he tried to safeguard himself inside the five-star hotel – but its doors were shut.
A local judicial police source expressed that the group who confronted Bissouma were part of a well “organized” gang.
He said: “They were clearly part of a very well-organized gang.
“Both were waiting outside the hotel, and struck when the couple were dropped off by a chauffeur-driven limousine at about 4 am.”
The source went on to describe how it occurred, sharing that it dawned on Bissouma that these individuals had an ulterior motive other than wanting a selfie.
The source said: “At first the men acted as is they wanted to pose for photographs with the star, but then it became clear they were wearing masks.
“The couple tried to get into the hotel, but were confronted with a locked door, and then gas was sprayed in their faces.
“A Richard Mille watch was taken, along with three diamond rings, before the men escaped in a Renault Megane.”
Yves Bissouma and his supposed partner were so startled by the attack that they returned to London within a few hours.
Why Was Bissouma And His Partner In France?
The pair had been due to enjoy a getaway at the French resort, but the incident unfortunately altered their plans.
A spokesperson for Tottenham Hotspur has also indicated that the English side are aware of the incident and will continue to check on the welfare of Yves Bissouma and his family.
It is understood that prosecutors in Cannes have begun a criminal inquiry into the robbery, while police and gendarmes try to search for those culpable in the act.
They are hoping that some of the attacks may have been captured on CCTV, along with the car’s number plate.
Meanwhile, according to the local judicial police source such attacks have become a frequent occurrence across France, particularly in uptown markets such as Cannes in recent years, with more than 30 incidents reported since January 2023.
During the annual film festival in May 2024, which is attended by several celebrities from across the world, two watches worth about £200,000 each were stolen.
It has been said that brands like Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, and Rolex are targeted because they can easily be sold off for above-cost prices on the secondary watch market.
Yves Bissouma
Yves Bissouma was born on August 30, 1996, in Issia, Ivory Coast, and he currently plies his trade with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
Bissouma joined Spurs from Brighton and Hove Albion on July 1, 2022, for a fee of €29.2 million.
The 27-year-old functions primarily as a defensive midfielder, but he can also function as a central midfielder and attacking midfielder.
Yves Bissouma has also represented some other clubs in his career, including; AS Real Bamako and LOSC Lille.
He has made 235 club career appearances thus far, scoring 10 goals and providing 5 assists in all competitions.
Internationally, Bissouma has made 28 appearances for Mali, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists.
