Footballer led off plane in handcuffs ‘after yelling bomb ahead of team flight’
A footballer was marched off a plane in handcuffs by police after allegedly making a bomb threat ahead of his team’s flight to get to a game.
Argentine second-division side Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy said last night it was considering sacking Emiliano Endrizzi after the bizarre incident.
The team and other passengers had to evacuate the aircraft so explosives officers could board to sweep it.
The 32-year-old defender allegedly shouted ‘Bomb’ as the plane was about to leave the Argentinian city of San Salvador de Jujuy yesterday afternoon for Buenos Aires, where they play home side Agropecuario later today.
A passenger claimed: ‘He said they were all going to explode.’
Airline Flybondi said in the aftermath of the incident: ‘A passenger on board flight FO5181, due to take off from Gobernador Horacio Guzman International Airport at 1.25pm, made a bomb threat.
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‘Given the situation, established security protocols were immediately activated, with the procedure being handled by the Airport Security Police (PSA).’
They added: ‘As a result of this passenger’s irresponsibility, the day’s air operations were affected, with delays and cancellations impacting more than 1,200 passengers. Flybondi is considering legal action against those responsible.’
Endrizzi’s future with the club, currently second in Argentina’s second-tier Primera B Nacional league, is now hanging in the balance.
The club said in a statement: ‘Currently, the situation is under the jurisdiction of the federal justice system, in order to clarify what happened.
‘The club expressly states that, if confirmed, it would be a manifestation of a strictly individual nature, unrelated to the values and conduct promoted by the institution.’
‘We express our full willingness to cooperate with the authorities for the prompt clarification of the facts, and await the decisions that may be adopted in order to assess, where appropriate, any internal measures that may be applicable.’
Club president Walter Morales admitted in a radio interview that Endrizzi could have his contract terminated.
Currently, Endrizzi has been detained.
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