7. An Unhappy Ending
Sport's Strangest Crimes - A podcast by BBC Radio 5 Live
Maisie Adam continues the astonishing story that has rocked women's football in France.Its the aftermath of the arrest of Aminata Diallo, she and her lawyers contest the bail terms to allow her to continue her football career abroad.Kheira Hamraoui, meanwhile, so long the target of acrimonious abuse for supposedly unfairly leading the police to Diallo's door for the original arrest, is suddenly viewed in a more sympathetic light. The public, the fans and the players, or at least those who called her, are all now given good cause to reflect on their actions.Having looked to be on her way out at PSG, Hamraoui's determination to fight for her place at PSG pays off as she not only returns to the first team, but plays well enough to earn a recall to the French squad just months ahead of the World Cup.However, in another twist, something close to mutiny breaks out in the player ranks of the national team, and there are suggestions its partly connected to the Diallo-Hamraoui affair.Then at the end of the season comes the decision by PSG not to renew her contract. For Hamraoui its the final blow in what has been a harrowing 18 months for her.For both players now its the agonising wait for a trial date, although both are looking for very diiferent kinds of closure.Defence and prosecution make their final summaries and the scene is set for the last episode and an exclusive interview with the accused, Animata Diallo.Narrator Maisie Adam Interviews: Charlotte Harpur and Tom Williams Voices for interviewees performed by: Janine George, Chyna Johnson, Tom Roberts and Colin Ryan Translation for the Aminata Diallo interview: Laura Bennett Script consultant: Dave Bowler Researchers: Rob Carroll and Janet Hughes Assistant Producer: Jennifer Hanratty-Ball Editor: Kevin Hinde Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Lizzi Doyle Commissioning Executive: Stevie Middleton Executive Producer: Craig South Writer and Producer: Jonathan SidesA PDI Media production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live.