Former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Kheira Hamraoui has filed a €3.5 million (£3.08m) legal claim against the French club, alleging she was effectively forced out following a shocking iron bar attack in November 2021.

Hamraoui, a seasoned international with experience at PSG, Barcelona, Lyon, and Saint-Etienne, now plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. She claims that her time at PSG became untenable after two masked attackers dragged her from a car and beat her legs with an iron bar while returning home from a team dinner. At the time, her teammate Aminata Diallo, who also competed for a midfield spot, was detained and charged with orchestrating the assault.

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Allegations of Moral Harassment at PSG

During an employment tribunal in Paris, Hamraoui’s lawyer, Pascal-Pierre Garbarini, alleged that several PSG players engaged in moral harassment following the attack. Forwards Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, he claimed, deliberately refused to pass the ball to Hamraoui during matches, leaving her isolated and sidelined on the pitch.

Garbarini described the player’s treatment as ostracism, affecting Hamraoui in the locker room, stands, and even on social media platforms. “What did PSG do? Nothing!” he declared, highlighting the club’s alleged inaction in response to the incident and subsequent harassment.

Hamraoui’s claim seeks compensation for multiple grievances, including:

• Moral harassment
• Failure to provide adequate security
• Failure to prevent moral harassment
• Moral prejudice
• Loss of professional opportunity

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PSG’s Response

PSG’s lawyer, Benjamin Louzier, countered the claims by noting that Hamraoui had not submitted a medical certificate confirming psychological harassment. He also stated that Hamraoui had not reached out to the club or its employees’ council to report her allegations formally.

Meanwhile, six other individuals, alongside Diallo, were charged in connection with the 2021 attack. Although prosecutors concluded their investigation in February 2025, the judicial case is still officially ongoing, leaving many legal questions unresolved.

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Hamraoui’s Football Career

Kheira Hamraoui, 35, has enjoyed a decorated career across Europe. She won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona in 2021 and has represented France at the international level. However, her PSG years have been marred by controversy and the alleged mistreatment she now cites in her tribunal claim.

Monday’s hearing took place in a packed courtroom, coinciding with another high-profile PSG employment dispute involving Kylian Mbappe, underscoring the club’s ongoing legal and administrative challenges.

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The Road Ahead

The tribunal is expected to deliver its verdict by mid-December 2025, which could have significant ramifications for PSG and its treatment of players. Hamraoui’s case highlights broader issues in women’s football regarding player safety, club accountability, and workplace ethics in professional sports.

This legal battle also draws attention to the responsibility of football clubs to ensure security and fair treatment for all players, both on and off the field. Should Hamraoui’s claims be upheld, it may set a precedent for similar cases in the women’s game.