The Daily Mail has uncovered a bit of a mystery.
Having pulled pictures from a match back in February, the Mail noticed that a pair of police officers who had been sent to investigate an assault claim on Mesut Ozil were seen in his personal box the very next day.
According to the report, the Mail presented its findings to the Metropolitan Police Service and they are now investigating.
Ozil was under investigation for having hit freelance photographer Lee Essex with the rear-view mirror of his car. Detective Sergeant Simon Jones and Detective Constable Dean Sliney were sent to get a statement from the Arsenal attacker.
The very next day, the officers, who are “avid Arsenal fans” according to the article, were pictured in a box at the Emirates with Ozil for a February 22nd match against Sunderland for which Ozil was injured. Arsenal won 4-1.
Ozil was later cleared of the matter after “careful consideration” according to the department.
Also pictured in the box was Detective Constable Helen Nicolson, whom the report says was not connected to the investigation of Ozil’s alleged assault.
Essex, 60 years old, claims Ozil drove at him while trying to take pictures of the midfielder near his mansion. According to the report, Ozil claims the photographer chased his car and ran himself into the mirror.
According to Scotland Yard, a complaint was brought to superiors before the Mail‘s report by a colleague, and the investigation is still ongoing five months later.
You can click here for the Daily Mail article which has the pictures of the detectives.
According to quotes in the report, investigators do not suspect the police officers of corruption, but are still angry over their poor decision which has reflected the unit in a very negative light.
Ozil is likely to play in the World Cup final for Germany on Sunday against Argentina.
