‘I screamed’ – Yoane Wissa feared acid attack would leave him blind for life
Brentford striker Yoane Wissa spoke in court after allegedly being the victim of an acid attack that could have left him permanently blind. Wissa is in the form of his life with 11 goals in the Premier League this season, but his life could have been changed forever in July 2021. Wissa and Mbeumo have been outstanding for the Bees this termGetty A 36-year-old woman, identified as Laetita P, is currently on trial in France for allegedly attacking Wissa at his home – days before his £8.5million transfer from Lorient to the Bees. The perpetrator also faces accusations of attempting to kidnap Wissa’s infant daughter and abducting another woman’s baby the day after – charges that could give the woman 30 years in prison if found guilty. At the court in Vannes, Brittany, Wissa – who has been a January transfer target for Nottingham Forest – emotionally retold the terrifying event this week. According to The Sun, the Brentford star said: “I opened a door, and had liquid thrown in my face. I screamed and could not breathe. “My wife called the emergency services, and they told me to get under the shower to rinse my eyes. “At the hospital they told me my eyes were burned. Someone had to come and rinse them out every hour. “It has been a nightmare. Since then I panic every time I hear a noise, and the only thing that kept me going was knowing my children are safe. “I had surgery on both eyes, and the doctor told me I will need to use eye drops for the rest of my life. “It took me six months before I fully got my sight back. “Had I not been treated so quickly, the consequences would have been far worse. Wissa has been one of the Premier League’s surprise stars this term “The days afterwards were traumatic for me. I know I will never feel the same as I used to. “I recognised the accused woman straight away. She was wearing sunglasses even though it was 11pm. “I want justice. Why has this happened to me? My wife and I will suffer the after-effects for the rest of our lives. “This hugely delayed my move to Brentford. I missed their pre-season, and when I arrived the manager [Thomas Frank] said he had already drawn up his first team. “He sympathised with me, and gave me time to adapt – but I got injured quickly as I wasn’t feeling great. “After the attack I reacted like a father more than a footballer, and told myself at least my kids are unharmed even though I am blind. Wissa has revealed how the traumatic events in France affected the early days of his career at Brentfordgetty Wissa has since become a crucial player for Brentford and is attracting interest from bigger clubs – but says the ordeal will affect him for the rest of his lifeGetty “Since that time I have become withdrawn. I can no longer tolerate being around people I don’t know. “I don’t now express as much love as I used to, and when I’m walking I instinctively look behind me. “And at nights I can no longer get to sleep if I am by myself. “My kids often ask me what I have done to my face, but they are too young for me to tell them what happened. “I have been offered an operation. But I have refused, as this is part of my personal history. “My wife and I have to see a psychologist, and she suffered depression. “We got married soon after the incident, as you never know what fate holds in store for you.” The trial is ongoing.
Brentford striker Yoane Wissa spoke in court after allegedly being the victim of an acid attack that could have left him permanently blind.
Wissa is in the form of his life with 11 goals in the Premier League this season, but his life could have been changed forever in July 2021.
A 36-year-old woman, identified as Laetita P, is currently on trial in France for allegedly attacking Wissa at his home – days before his £8.5million transfer from Lorient to the Bees.
The perpetrator also faces accusations of attempting to kidnap Wissa’s infant daughter and abducting another woman’s baby the day after – charges that could give the woman 30 years in prison if found guilty.
At the court in Vannes, Brittany, Wissa – who has been a January transfer target for Nottingham Forest – emotionally retold the terrifying event this week.
According to The Sun, the Brentford star said: “I opened a door, and had liquid thrown in my face. I screamed and could not breathe.
“My wife called the emergency services, and they told me to get under the shower to rinse my eyes.
“At the hospital they told me my eyes were burned. Someone had to come and rinse them out every hour.
“It has been a nightmare. Since then I panic every time I hear a noise, and the only thing that kept me going was knowing my children are safe.
“I had surgery on both eyes, and the doctor told me I will need to use eye drops for the rest of my life.
“It took me six months before I fully got my sight back.
“Had I not been treated so quickly, the consequences would have been far worse.
“The days afterwards were traumatic for me. I know I will never feel the same as I used to.
“I recognised the accused woman straight away. She was wearing sunglasses even though it was 11pm.
“I want justice. Why has this happened to me? My wife and I will suffer the after-effects for the rest of our lives.
“This hugely delayed my move to Brentford. I missed their pre-season, and when I arrived the manager [Thomas Frank] said he had already drawn up his first team.
“He sympathised with me, and gave me time to adapt – but I got injured quickly as I wasn’t feeling great.
“After the attack I reacted like a father more than a footballer, and told myself at least my kids are unharmed even though I am blind.
“Since that time I have become withdrawn. I can no longer tolerate being around people I don’t know.
“I don’t now express as much love as I used to, and when I’m walking I instinctively look behind me.
“And at nights I can no longer get to sleep if I am by myself.
“My kids often ask me what I have done to my face, but they are too young for me to tell them what happened.
“I have been offered an operation. But I have refused, as this is part of my personal history.
“My wife and I have to see a psychologist, and she suffered depression.
“We got married soon after the incident, as you never know what fate holds in store for you.”
The trial is ongoing.
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