Arsenal star Reiss Nelson’s Italian mastiff named Thiago allegedly attacked a sports masseur as the pair posed for a selfie.
Saeid Motaali, 50, claimed the footballer’s dog went for his neck and bit him on the arm he had raised to protect himself.
The alleged dog attack is said to have happened after Mr Motaali wrapped up a sports massage session with Mr Nelson, 24, when he asked for a selfie with the footballer and his pet.
Mr Motaali has now brought a High Court claim against the Arsenal player, accusing him of negligence and being to blame for the dog attack.
The therapist claimed he has not been able to work for more than three years due to the incident, which is understood to have happened in 2020.
Reiss Nelson’s Italian mastiff named Thiago allegedly attacked a sports masseur as the pair posed for a selfie
Saeid Motaali, 50, (pictured) claimed the footballer’s dog went for his neck and bit him on the arm he had raised to protect himself
Reiss Nelson of Arsenal during a training session at Emirates Stadium on April 13, 2024
Reiss Nelson seen covering his face as he entered the court on Monday, September 4, 2023
Mr Motaali said he had been Mr Nelson’s usual sports massage therapist for about three years before the ordeal took place at the star’s £3million house.
Mr Motaali and Mr Nelson were allegedly in the kitchen of the sportsman’s home in Hadley Wood when the therapist asked for a photo with the footballer, as well as the dog.
According to the Evening Standard, Mr Motaali’s legal team said: ‘He took a photograph of Mr Nelson and the dog and was in the process of taking a ‘selfie’ type picture of the dog when, as he started to turn away, the dog jumped up at him towards his neck.’
In the claim filed at the High Court by Fieldfisher law firm, the footballer is accused of failing to control the dog, not putting him on a muzzle or lead, and being responsible for the actions of an animal which had been trained as a guard dog.
‘The dog was a large powerful animal with sharp teeth and was ever likely to cause severe damage when biting a person,’ it is claimed.
Mr Nelson has previously denied the accusation. MailOnline has contacted Arsenal’s press office for comment.
