New Crystal Palace signing Cheick Doucoure is being blackmailed by a gang, his lawyer has claimed.
The 22-year-old Mali midfielder, who last week signed for the South London side from Lens in a £20m deal, is being targeted by an agent, photographer and journalist who have been threatening to expose Doucoure for having a "double identity" unless he pays them a significant sum.
Doucoure’s lawyer, Alexis Rutman, said in a statement that the situation was “very serious” and has vehemently denied any claim of his client having a “double identity.”