Former Nigerian international footballer Kanu Nwankwo had 11,000 euros stolen from his suitcase at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on his way to playing in a friendly match.
According to TASS agency, the former Arsenal and Inter Milan player was robbed as he transferred to a flight from London to Kaliningrad through Moscow.
TASS quoted Russian police as saying that they detained two baggage handlers who were unloading luggage from the London flight and stole the money from checked-in luggage.
Police spokeswoman Irina Volk said: “The stolen money has been confiscated and will shortly be returned to its owner.”
Moscow and Kaliningrad are among 14 Russian cities that will host World Cup matches from June 14 to July 15.
Kanu played in Kaliningrad in a special friendly match joining FIFA’s “legends” against a team of Russian veterans on Sunday. Kanu’s team won 6-4.
Sheremetyevo saw a similar crime in March when a baggage handler was arrested and admitted to stealing 56,000 euros from a package belonging to a Moscow bank.
