Newcastle United full-back Amar Dedic found himself in an unusual kind of contest this week, not with an opposing winger but with police in the north-east of England, after he was reportedly seen carrying a bow and arrows at a scenic spot in Northumberland.
The 24-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina international was with a friend on Wednesday when officers stopped the car they were in, according to a Naija News report. The police action followed a call from a member of the public who was worried about what they had seen.
Six police vehicles, armed units and a seven-mile trail
Reports say the response was far from small. Six police vehicles, armed units among them, were reportedly sent out after Dedic and his companion were noticed walking on a track close to a reservoir along Military Road, in the Harlow Hill area.
The officers eventually caught up with the vehicle in Darras Hall, roughly seven miles away from the spot where the two men were first sighted. The car was searched and the bow and arrows were taken away, but police reportedly found nothing to suggest the pair were a danger to anyone.
BBC Sport was told that the defender meant no harm and gave officers his full co-operation, according to the report.
Teammates turn up by chance
In a twist that would fit nicely in a Nollywood script, two familiar Newcastle faces reportedly appeared on the scene while Dedic was still being questioned. Goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, 34, and former Magpies defender Paul Dummett, 35, were said to have simply been passing through the area and pulled over to see if they could help.
What Northumbria Police said
Northumbria Police confirmed that the incident happened, though the force did not name the footballer involved. In its statement, the force said: "Officers attended and subsequently stopped a vehicle in the Darras Hall area and seized a bow and arrows."
The statement continued: "At this stage, it is understood they were for recreational use, and there was no threat to the public."
Police added that their enquiries were still continuing. Newcastle United had not commented on the matter at the time of the report.
Who is Amar Dedic?
Dedic moved to the Premier League side from Portuguese giants Benfica in August, in a deal reportedly worth about £30m. Since arriving on Tyneside, he has played 10 times across league and cup competitions.
The police stop came just two days after he was part of the Newcastle team beaten 1-0 by Everton at home, a result that added to a difficult start for Eddie Howe's... club, which currently sits 13th in the Premier League table on 11 points after nine games.
