OTTAWA – An Ottawa professional soccer team says one of its players was attacked on an Air Canada flight, but is expected to play tonight.
Graeme Ivory, a spokesperson with the Ottawa Fury FC soccer club, said a passenger reached over his seat, without provocation, and “attempted to strangle one of our players with the cord of his headphones.”
The incident occurred on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Atlanta on Friday about 30 minutes before landing.
The player, forward Oliver Minatel, wasn’t injured, Roy said, but was shaken up.
Nearby passengers rushed to help and restrained the man for the rest of the flight.
Authorities boarded the plane after landing in Atlanta and arrested the man.
“The FBI did respond to the Air Canada incident at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport,” said Special Agent Stephen Emmett of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in an email.
“The passenger, however, was transported for medical/mental evaluation under the direction and co-ordination of the Atlanta Police Department. While there are currently no federal charges pending , the facts of the matter are being relayed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, Georgia.”
Roy said Minatel is expected to play in tonight’s North American Soccer League game against the Atlanta Silverbacks.
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