French police investigate ‘violent robbery’ at Marquinhos’ family home

Paris, Mar 16 (efe-epa).- French police have launched an investigation into the “violent robbery” that took place at the family home of Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos, judicial sources told Efe on Tuesday.

Marquinhos’ father had his home broken into Sunday night by a group of thieves, who, he said, punched him in the stomach before stealing cash and luxury bags.

The house of Marquinhos’ teammate, Angel di Maria, was also burgled while the Argentine was playing in his team’s 2-1 defeat to Nantes on Sunday.

This is not the first time PSG players have been the victims of a burglary, as the homes of Sergio Rico and Mauro Icardi have also been burgled over the past few months.

These incidents prompted PSG, one of the world’s richest clubs, to beef up security of their players’ homes, all of which are located west of the French capital.

The club will pay for guards to secure their homes, which are already equipped with video surveillance and alarm systems, with one or two agents assigned to each of them 24 hours a day.

During the break-in, the Brazil international’s 52-year-old father and two sisters were home, which is located next door to Marquinhos’ in the town of Chatou.

“The incidents are under investigation, specifically the violent acts committed against the player’s father (Marquinhos),” sources from the Versailles Court told Efe.

Marquinhos on Monday took to social media to denounce the burglary of his fathers’ house and added that while they “were given a fright”, no one was seriously hurt in the incident.

Meanwhile, a French National Police division specialized in organized gangs, which usually use weapons for their robberies, is in charge of the investigation into di Maria’s home robbery.