Tottenham fullback Emerson on surviving gunfight: God took control of me

8 Jun 2022 • 12:51 PM MYT
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Tottenham fullback Emerson Royal has recalled surviving a gunfight in Brazil last week.

The right-back was involved in a scary incident during the off-season that saw him approached by an armed individual outside of a nightclub, with an off-duty policeman then intervening. Fortunately, both men escaped unharmed despite a number of shots being fired - the robber himself now being under police supervision at hospital.

Speaking with SportTV, the Brazilian defender said: “At that moment, God controlled me in a way… because it felt like nothing was happening. I approached the bandit, saying 'calm down, calm down, everyone is calm, I'll give you what you want'

“When I give him what he wants, I approach him, because I'd already seen his evil look. I saw that he wasn't just for the watch. When I hand it to him, he walks away and unlocks his gun to shoot me.

“When he's about to shoot me, I pushed him, slap the gun and he shoots in the air. He fired. It was at that moment, when I pushed him, that he loses his balance and the cop shoots him. Then when he hits the shot, the rush starts.

“I say, it's God at the moment. Because we were in a square, there were 15 people more or less. In a small square. And he starts shooting everywhere and doesn't hit anyone.

“He fired 17 or 19 shots, if I'm not mistaken. He had a gun that was a 9mm, if I'm not mistaken, semi-automatic. It's a weapon that is not normal for a bandit, nor a policeman.

“Then I understood that it was a moment that could cost me my life, but it served as a lesson for me to be careful in several situations. And I'm calm now."


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