Expat denies trying to run over Emirati after football row

ABU DHABI // An expatriate tried to run over an Emirati after they had fought over a game of football, the Criminal Court was told yesterday.

Prosecutors said the Tunisian man and the Emirati had been separated by others after they became involved in a punch-up over the match, and the Tunisian man then walked away.

But he returned and fought with the Emirati once more, before leaving for a second time and getting into his vehicle.

He then drove at high speed into the Emirati, prosecutors said.

In court yesterday, the Tunisian pleaded not guilty to an assault charge.

A witness backed up his version of the story, saying he saw the Tunisian driving his car “calmly” and that he did not see a crash.

The brother of the Emirati said he was being beaten up by a group of 16 men at the football field and called his sibling for help, but that when he arrived he was also beaten.

He said he left the pitch in his own car and did not see the crash involving his brother.

The case was adjourned until December 20 to call the Emirati to testify.

The judge refused bail for the Tunisian man, despite claims by his lawyer that he needed to be released because he suffers a heart condition.

hdajani@thenational.ae