Ghanaian Footballer John Paintsil Arrested For Stabbing Wife In The Eye

Former Fulham, Leicester and Westham defender, John Paintsil has been arrested by Ghanaian Police after he reportedly stabbed wife Richlove in the eye on Friday afternoon over allegations that he slept with prostitutes during the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Greater Accra Regional Police Command confirmed the story.

The Police said they were called into the neighbourhood after Paintsil reportedly chased his wife into a neighbour's garden where he stabbed her.

The 31-year-old international player was denied bail and is likely to spend the weekend in jail as the investigation continued. 

According to reports, Paintsil was confronted by his wife following rumours he slept with prostitutes during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in South Africa.

The allegation was first made by football enthusiast and social commentator Appiah Kofi popularly known as Appiah Stadium in a radio interview.

Appiah alleged that the veteran defender was responsible for bringing women to the Black Stars camp to have sexual intercourse with them and this culminated in the team’s poor output at the AFCON.

Paintsil denied the allegation and threatened to drag Appiah Stadium to court to clear his name. 

The wife of the defender is reported to have questioned Paintsil on several occasions since the issue broke, but the former West Ham defender lost his temper on Friday and attacked his wife stabbing her in the eye.

Speaking to Accra-based Citi FM, the Public Relations Officer of the Accra Police Command, DSP Freeman Tettey said: “This is a clear case of causing harm to a fellow human being.

“He will be taken to court. We can assure you that. We are holding him for causing harm. We need to do proper investigations. It's too early to get to the realm of court issues.”

Paintsil also attacked a neighbour who attempted to rescue his wife, according to Police.

Police spokesman said the lady is being treated for eye wounds in a local hospital.

Paintsil was part of the Ghana Blackstars squad that finished fourth in the last AFCON 2013 edition in South Africa.