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Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star Mark van Bommel was held at gunpoint by fan demanding professional deal

Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star Mark van Bommel was held at gunpoint by fan demanding professional deal

A man armed with a gun tried to blackmail the Champions League winner in order to earn a professional contract.

Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star Mark van Bommel was held at gunpoint by a fan demanding a professional contract, a shocking report has uncovered.

The Dutchman, who won the Champions League with Barca in 2006, retired in 2013 and has since embarked on a career in management.

He took charge of both PSV and VFL Wolfsburg before becoming manager of Belgian side Royal Antwerp, who he is on the verge of guiding to a first title in 66 years.

But the former Netherlands was involved in a terrifying ordeal in October of last year when he was approached by an individual.

Van Bommel was confronted by a man outside his apartment in the parking area. Through an investigation into his iPhone usage, prosecutors learned that the individual, named as Jamaleh Haban M, had found exactly where the 46-year-old after placing AirTag - an Apple Tracker - under his Porsche Panamera.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

The perpetrator had taken a selfie with Van Bommel just months earlier.

He then used a torch to blind Van Bommel and revealed a gun, which he used to threaten the ex AC Milan man. In a panic Van Bommel reversed and crashed into a nearby parked Mercedes.

He was unharmed physically but his vehicle became damaged, while the culprit scarpered.

It later emerged that Haban had a voice message which he had intended to play to Van Bommel and threatened to kill him and his family unless he helped him become a footballer and sign him for Antwerp.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

"Listen Mark, your family's life depends on this, let me become a professional player, the message, translated from Arabic reads as per De Telegraaf.

"Don't go to the police, we will kill you and your family. We know where you live".

Haban had told police he was 17 but studies found he was actually 25 and had emailed the likes of Antwerp and Zulte Waregem in order to try and realise his dream of playing professionally.

John Maes, Van Bommel's lawyer, has said the player is struggling to sleep and is living in a hotel as a result.

He is seeking €5,000 in moral damages, with the prosecution lobbying for a five-year prison sentence and €1,200 (£1,030) fine ahead of the verdict on June 13.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Netherlands