Moroccan Younès Belhanda accused of assaulting former teammate in Turkey

Former Adana Demirspor player Birkir Bjarnason has made serious allegations against Moroccan midfielder Younès Belhanda, claiming he was physically assaulted during a training session in 2022.

In an interview with Icelandic media, the retired international described a heated altercation just days before the 2022/23 season. «He had a very explosive temperament», Bjarnason said. «He hit me in the groin, then punched me hard in the chin. I fell to the ground». He added that he attempted to retaliate, but teammates quickly intervened to separate the two players.

Bjarnason further alleged that tensions escalated after the session, claiming Belhanda later waited for him. «When we returned after training, he was waiting with a knife in his hand. I started to fear he might attack me», he said, noting that Belhanda later apologized, though he refused to speak with him.

The allegations, widely reported in Turkish media, have not been publicly addressed by the player.