Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has escaped a fine for not appearing in court on Monday.
Aubameyang was expected to speak in court during the trail of Sergej W, the suspect charged with the bombing of the Borussia Dortmund team bus on 11 April 2017.
The Bundesliga team’s bus was attacked using three homemade pipe bombs on its way to Westfalenstadion in Dortmund. The defendant, known only as Sergej W, faces life in prison if found guilty.
Aubameyang missed his chance to speak as a witness in the trial on Monday but apparently has a doctor’s note to prove he was too ill to attend.
The court case just so happened to be two days before transfer deadline day, so you can understand why judge Peter Windgatter and public prosecutor Carsten Dombert could be sceptical.
Borussia Dortmund's team bus is hit by bomb attack as they travel to Champions League match. 1 player needed surgery for broken arm. pic.twitter.com/tGCh80WpV8
— Capital Yorks News (@CapitalYORNews) April 12, 2017
“Justice will not put up with it,” said Dombert, as reported by ESPN.
Fortunately, the Gabon international has escaped a fine as the trial continued in Dortmund on Friday.
“Regardless, we will not relinquish this witness,” the public prosecutor continued.
“Either he will be here in person next time or there will be a video hearing in London.”
Aubameyang was pictured leaving from Dortmund airport via private jet on Tuesday afternoon, so it stands to reason that he was too unwell to make the trial the day before.
In addition, Arsene Wenger says the striker might not be able to make his first appearance for Arsenal against Everton on Saturday because he’s got a fever.