Roma's Moroccan kidnapped and robbed at knife-point in his home
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 19.03.26. | 15:56
Neil El Aynaoui went through a true nightmare alongside his family members a few days ago
While his teammates peacefully prepare for the return leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 clash against Bologna (23.00), Roma midfielder Neil El Aynaoui will do the same, though not as calm as the rest of Gian Piero Gasperini's crew.
The reason behind that is simple - the Moroccan went through a true nightmare a couple of days ago.
Namely, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 24-year-old's home in the Castel Fusano area was a target of six masked robbers armed with guns and knives!
🚨 NEIL EL AYNAOUI WAS HELD HOSTAGE LAST NIGHT BY A GANG OF 6 PEOPLE! 😱
— Dribble (@dribble_sports) March 17, 2026
Around 3 a.m., 6 armed and masked men entered his home after forcing open the living room window bars.
Neil El Aynaoui, his mother, his partner, his brother, and his brother’s partner were locked in a room… pic.twitter.com/LrQXpo96q8
The gang entered El Aynaoui's house in the middle of the night through the living room before taking the player, his wife, mother, brother, and brother's girlfriend hostages, locking them in a room.
The Atlas Lions' international was allegedly forced to kneel, while his mother claimed that the robbers held a knife to her throat!
In the end, they stole a Rolex, designer bags, and jewellery worth around €10,000, though El Aynaoui and his family won't mind the stolen goods as the most essential thing is that they emerged alive, well, and unharmed from this nightmarish situation.
The player missed the Giallorossi's last training ahead of the Bologna clash, while his participation in tonight's game is in doubt.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims the police reacted quickly and shortly arrived at the crime scene, though the gang members have yet to be caught.
Still, Rome seems to have recently turned into a quite unsafe place, as the same source points out that El Aynaoui is only one of several current and former Roma and Lazio players who have been victims of robberies over the past months and years.
The list includes numerous famous names, such as Chris Smalling, Christian Panucci, Philippe Mexes, and Wesley Franca of the Wolfess, and Toma Basic, Mattia Zaccagni, Mario Gila, and Matias Vecino of the Eagles.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16
Return leg
Wednesday
Braga - Ferencvaros 4-0 (3-0)
/Horta 11, 53, Grillitsch 15, Martinez 34/
Braga win 4-2 on aggregate
Thursday
20.45: (1.63) Freiburg (4.30) Genk (5.60)
20.45: (3.15) Midtjylland (3.50) Nottingham Forest (2.30)
20.45: (2.25) Olympique Lyon (3.45) Celta (3.45)
23.00: (1.75) Aston Villa (3.70) Lille (5.40)
23.00: (1.42) Betis (4.80) Panathinaikos (9.00)
23.00: (2.55) Porto (3.30) Stuttgart (2.80)
23.00: (1.80) Roma (3.60) Bologna (5.10)
***odds are subject to change***