Moussa Sylla: Schalke striker defends himself – dog “never abandoned”

Gelsenkirchen. Schalke striker Moussa Sylla vehemently defends himself against the accusation that he left his dog with a dog sitter and didn't want him back. "For several days, Mr. Moussa Sylla and his family have been the target of a media campaign based on false, distorted, and out-of-context information," says a statement from French lawyer Dylan Bourkab, which Sylla posted on his Instagram account.

"It's important to emphasize that Ghost was never abandoned," the letter, written in English, continues. The attacker from second-division soccer club Schalke 04 also posted a picture of a dog walk. He captioned it: "I just want my dog back, thanks for the messages." However, the reactions of many people to the case have often been negative.

Without a thorough fact-checking, some media outlets "spread unfounded and manipulated allegations originating from the caretaker of the dog Ghost, whose real name is Luffy," the lawyer's letter states. No further explanation was provided regarding the animal's second name. The caretaker "consciously chose to cut off all contact with the Sylla family, despite their repeated requests for their animal's return."

According to the lawyer, the caretaker is "illegally withholding the dog and all official documents relating to the animal in order to unjustifiably assert her right of ownership." Furthermore, the same person demanded a sum of money disguised as a donation to her animal charity "as a condition for my clients' return of their dog."

The lawyer stressed that he would use “all legal means, both in France and internationally,” to “stop these harmful acts and vigorously defend the rights and dignity of Mr. Sylla and his family.”

RND/dpa