Former Hibs and Livingston player Stephane Omeonga has shared footage of police in Italy forcibly removing him from a plane on Christmas Day.
The Belgian footballer, who currently plays for Israeli club Bnei Sakhnin, claims he had boarded a flight from Rome to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred on December 25 after an air steward questioned him over an alleged issue with his travel documents.
The footage, posted to the 28-year-old’s Instagram account, shows Omeonga pleading with two officers that he is a “football player” and a “Belgian citizen” before handcuffs appear.
One officer then places handcuffs on the player, who responds, “What are you doing? Are you insane?” The officer then grabs Omeonga’s head and puts his arms around his neck. The clip then cuts away to show the footballer being led off the plane while continuing to plead that he is a “Belgian citizen.”
Omeonga wrote that he had been a “victim of police brutality” in his post, with several footballers expressing their shock at the footage and offering words of support.
Omeonga signed for Hibernian in January 2019 before going on loan back to Belgium and rejoining the team for another spell in 2020. In August 2021, he joined Livingston on a two-year deal.
The footballer claimed that after being removed from the plane, police continued to be physically violent toward him. He was later released but says he still hasn’t been given a reason for his arrest.
He wrote: “On December 25th, I was a victim of police brutality. During a flight between Rome and Tel Aviv, after boarding the plane and taking my seat, a steward approached me about an alleged issue with my documents and asked me to leave the aircraft. Confident in the validity of my documents, I calmly asked him what kind of issue.
“The police were called, and I was handcuffed and forcibly removed from the plane. Once outside the aircraft, away from the view of witnesses, the police violently threw me to the ground, beat me, and one of them pressed his knee against my head.
“I was then taken in a police vehicle, handcuffed like a criminal, to the airport. An ambulance arrived, but in a state of shock, I was unable to respond to the paramedics’ questions. Shortly after, I heard over the police car’s radio, ‘He refused medical care; everything is fine.’ This was completely false. I asked them to take me in the ambulance with them, scared of what the police might do to me.
“Next, I was placed in a grey room, without food or water, and left in a state of total humiliation for several hours. Upon my release, I learned that a police officer had filed a complaint against me for injuries allegedly caused during the arrest, even though I was handcuffed. Furthermore, to this day, I have not received any justification for my arrest.
“As a human being and a father, I cannot tolerate any form of discrimination. This arrest is just the visible tip of the iceberg. Many people who look like me cannot find work, have no access to housing, or cannot participate in the sports they love, simply because they are Black.
“We must stand united and raise our voices to educate those around us—our colleagues, neighbors, and friends—about this issue that plagues our society and hinders its progress.”
Marvin Bartley, who also played for Hibs and Livingston, responded: “Words fail me! Going into 2025, my small wish is that everyone is treated the same all around the WORLD!!!
“That’s all it remains, though. In our lifetime, it will never be the case. It’s tiring! I hope you’re well and, more importantly, safe, brother!”
Former Celtic player Beram Kayal, who is Omeonga’s current teammate, added: “Love, brother. Hope you’re okay and feeling good.
“I’m sure you’re strong, and you will keep fighting for the good in this life.”
The Record has contacted Stephane Omeonga, Wizz Air and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport for comment.
Italian police have also been contacted for comment.
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