POLICE IN LONDON have confirmed no further action will be taken against former Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena after he was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting earlier this month.
The Italian international was detained on 7 April at a Harrods department store in Knightsbridge but all charges were dropped two days later.
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, Dossena has moved to clear up the incident and claims he and his family were ‘treated like terrorists’.
“When we got to the checkout and paid, I didn’t notice that there was also a pack of dried beef and a jar of honey in our bag. I don’t know how it happened, I’ve no idea,” the full-back said.
Along with his wife and young son, Dossena was then handcuffed and taken to a Police station.
“It was as you would do with a terrorist,” he continued.
“I was obviously in disbelief, not only because of that gesture but because I didn’t know what was going on – I hadn’t realised the mistake we’d made.
“They asked to see our documents that prove our status as residents of London, and obviously I didn’t have them with me – I’d left them at home. So then they took us to the police station, where they held us until half past ten at night, despite the needs of a two-and-half-year-old child. It’s absurd to treat a child this way.
“Two days later the police confirmed I had acted in good faith and the case was closed.”
The 33-year-old spent two seasons at Liverpool after moving to Anfield from Udinese in July 2008. Spells with Napoli, Palermo and Sunderland followed before signing a permanent deal with League One outfit Leyton Orient earlier this season.
The 10-time capped international admits he plans to take legal action over the manner in which he and his family were treated.
“[It is] to protect my image and my family. It’s all water under the bridge now, but when I stop to think I feel the media circus was completely unfair.
“There was no privacy, no respect. I found myself in the headlines – Dossena the thief. Like I’m going to steal a Rolex.”
