Former star Pokou beaten by police
First Published: Apr 10, 2008
Former Ivorian football player Laurent Pokou, seen here at his home in Abidjan, shows his injuries after he claims he was "savagely beaten" by the police during a routine control in Abidjan.
Former Ivorian star Laurent Pokou said Thursday he had been "savagely beaten" by the police during a routine control in Abidjan.
"After my vehicle papers had been checked the policeman asked to see my driving licence. I wanted him to hand back the other papers first and that's when it all started," said Pokou, the 61-year-old's face bearing the scars of Sunday night's incident with half a dozen police officers.
"They forced me to the ground and kicked me violently, treated me like a common criminal," said Pokou, saying he ended up badly bruised.
After obtaining a medical certificate he added he would be making a complaint.
Pokou was a star striker with ASEC Mimosas and the Ivorian national side across the 1960s and it was only this year that his 14 goals in the African Cup of Nations - six in 1968 and eight more in 1970 - was beaten as Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o took his haul to 16 in this year's event.
http://www.wldcup.com/news/2008/04/20080410_47916_soccer_news.html
