Former national football team coach among group charged in break-in

Three Europeans are accused of breaking into a warehouse and stealing a computer and a safe containing Dh245,000.

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DUBAI // A former fitness coach for the UAE national football team has been accused of breaking into a warehouse and stealing a computer and a safe containing Dh245,000 (US$66,700). PC, a 43-year-old Frenchman, was charged along with AT, a 45-year-old Italian business manager, and TB, 48, from Belgium. The men's Filipino driver, RI, 40, was charged with breaking and entering but not with theft.

The men denied the charges in Dubai Misdemeanours Court on September 7. The next hearing will be on October 5. PC was a fitness coach for the national team for more than five years, according to the UAE Football Association. He joined the squad when Bruno Metsu, now with Qatar, was coach and he was part of the team that won the 2007 Gulf Cup. Most recently, he worked for the Al Wasl Club in Dubai.

The men are accused of breaking a lock and entering a Jebel Ali warehouse on June 22, then stealing the computer and safe. If convicted of the charges of armed robbery, breaking and entering, they face a maximum sentence of five years in jail. amustafa@thenational.ae