Emirati footballer cleared of assault, arson

Dubai: A renowned Emirati footballer has been cleared of beating and threatening a girl and setting her vehicle ablaze after dousing it with petrol over uncorroborated evidence, ruled a court on Sunday.

The Dubai Court of Misdemeanour acquitted 26-year-old footballer, S.A., of beating and threatening his compatriot, N.A., and intentionally setting her car and another vehicle on fire for insubordinate evidence.

His lawyer Eisa Bin Haidar, of Bin Haidar Group Advocates and Legal Consultants, argued in his defence: "My client is innocent and the girl brought a malicious complaint against him because he is a renowned and wealthy player and she sought money... she asked for Dh350,000 to waive her complaint."

The Public Prosecution charged S.A. and another suspect with arson after they deliberately poured petrol on N.A.'s car and set it ablaze.

S.A. was charged with assaulting and threatening the girl.