Father of Spain’s Yamal in ‘Serious but Stable’ Condition after Being Stabbed

Barcelona's Spanish forward #27 Lamine Yamal looks on during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 2 group H football match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona at the Dragao stadium in Porto on October 4, 2023. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish forward #27 Lamine Yamal looks on during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 2 group H football match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona at the Dragao stadium in Porto on October 4, 2023. (AFP)
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Father of Spain’s Yamal in ‘Serious but Stable’ Condition after Being Stabbed

Barcelona's Spanish forward #27 Lamine Yamal looks on during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 2 group H football match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona at the Dragao stadium in Porto on October 4, 2023. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish forward #27 Lamine Yamal looks on during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 2 group H football match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona at the Dragao stadium in Porto on October 4, 2023. (AFP)

Mounir Nasraoui, the father of Barcelona and Spain star winger Lamine Yamal, is in a "serious but stable" condition after being stabbed late on Wednesday in a car park in the northeastern Spanish town of Mataro, Spanish national TV broadcaster TVE reported.

The regional police force Mossos d'Esquadra confirmed the report and told Reuters three people had been arrested for attempted murder.

The 17-year-old Yamal, a soccer wonderkid who grew up in coastal Mataro -- a working-class, multi-ethnic suburb of Barcelona -- became the breakout star of the recent Euro 2024 held in Germany, helping Spain to win the tournament and scoring in their semi-final victory over France.

TVE said on Thursday that Yamal's father had been stabbed three times, twice in the abdomen and once in the chest.

Nasraoui was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Badalona, Barcelona, late on Wednesday and was expected to remain there for the upcoming hours, the report said.

TVE added that a fourth person had been arrested by the regional police on Thursday, with his involvement in the stabbing still unclear.

The broadcaster said the police were investigating a previous fight as the reason behind the incident.

Several videos could be seen on social media on Wednesday, showing Nasraoui having an argument with some individuals in the Rocafonda neighborhood and the police intervening. However, Reuters was not able to independently verify them.



Premier League to Explain VAR Decisions on Social Media During Matches 

Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
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Premier League to Explain VAR Decisions on Social Media During Matches 

Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)

The Premier League hopes to reduce frustration with the VAR system with the launch of a social media account that will provide near real-time updates and explanations regarding officiating and operational decisions for every match.

Teams voted in favor of keeping VAR in June despite huge amounts of criticism about the technology-aided officiating system last season, with Wolverhampton Wanderers initiating a petition to scrap it.

"In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game," the league said in a statement on Tuesday.

In addition to posting refereeing decisions, the X account, @PLMatchCentre, will also provide insights directly from the VAR hub and refereeing experts with the aim of bringing transparency, the league said.

Experts from PGMOL, the league’s officiating body, will also clarify the laws of the game and provide additional information and updates on the VAR decision-making processes when necessary.