Amsterdam shooting victim identified as former footballer
Former professional football payer Yassine Abdellaoui was the man shot in the Amsterdam neighborhood of IJburg on Wednesday night, multiple sources confirmed to the Telegraaf. The footballer was injured in the shooting, but his injuries are not life-threatening, according to the newspaper.
The shooting happened on George Sliekerkade in IJburg at around 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday. The police responded to reports of loud bangs and a man screaming on the street. The 43-year-old man was taken to hospital with unknown injuries. According to eye witnesses, two perpetrators fled the scene on a scooter. The police found several bullet shells on the street.
Abdellaoui started his pro career in 1992 with Willem II and also played for NAC Breda and Spanish team Rayo Vallecano. In 2003 he moved to De Graafschap, where he did not have much success, according to NU.nl. In September of that year he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. He was released again in November and returned to playing football. His period at De Graafschap came to an end in January 2004, when he was fired after a night out got out of hand.
During his football career, Abdellaoui played a total of 216 Eredivisie matches and scored 26 goals. After his sporting career Abdellaoui and a teammate were convicted of being in the possession of stolen goods, according to NU.nl. They were given conditional prison sentences. Abdellaoui was later acquitted on appeal. In 2010 he was also acquitted in the money laundering case of 2003.
