Breaking News English

Footballer unhurt after gunfight during mugging

Police Officers - Level 4

A top footballer had a lucky escape thanks to an off-duty police officer's heroism. Brazil player Emerson Royal was outside a nightclub in Sao Paolo. He was taking photos with the officer. A man with a gun approached him and demanded his watch. The police officer sprang into action and chased the thief. The two got into a 29-shot gunfight. Royal escaped unharmed, but the police officer was shot in the back. He is recovering in hospital.

Mr Royal said he is eternally grateful to the officer. He said: "God sends angels to Earth.…This human being…risked his own life to save mine." Royal's father described the event as a "horror scene". He added: "It all happened in a flash and the adrenaline was running." High-profile footballers have become a target for criminals. The website "Insider" reported there have been over 20 assaults on soccer stars in Europe's top leagues since 2019.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Police Officers - Level 5

A top footballer has had a lucky escape thanks to the heroism of an off-duty police officer. Brazilian player Emerson Royal, 23, was outside a nightclub in the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo. He was taking photos with the police officer when a man with a gun accosted him. The would-be assailant demanded his watch and other belongings. Fortunately for Royal, the police officer sprang into action and chased the thief. The two got involved in a 29-shot gunfight. Mr Royal escaped unharmed, but was shaken by the attack. The police officer was shot in the back. He is now recovering in hospital.

Mr Royal plays for the London club Tottenham. He is eternally grateful to the officer. He said: "God sends angels to Earth.…This human being…risked his own life to save mine." Royal's father described the event as a "horror scene". He said he would not wish it on anyone. He added: "It all happened in a flash and the adrenaline was running." High-profile footballers have become a target for criminals recently. The website "Insider" reported there have been more than 20 assaults on and robberies of soccer stars and their families in Europe's top leagues since 2019.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Police Officers - Level 6

A Premier League footballer has had a lucky escape thanks to the heroic efforts of an off-duty police officer in Brazil. Brazilian fullback Emerson Royal, 23, was on holiday in the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo. He was outside a nightclub taking photos with the police officer. He was suddenly accosted by the thief, who was armed with a handgun. The would-be assailant demanded Mr Royal's watch and other belongings. Fortunately for Royal, the police officer sprang into action and chased the thief down the street. The two became involved in a 29-shot gunfight. The footballer escaped unharmed, but was shaken by the attempted robbery. The police officer was shot in the back, but is now recovering in hospital.

Mr Royal, a defender for the London club Tottenham Hotspur, said he would be eternally grateful for the officer's heroics. He wrote: "God sends angels to Earth. This is confirmed every day in my life. This human being…risked his own life to save mine." Royal's father described the event as a "horror scene". He said he would not wish such a thing on anyone. He added: "I don't remember well. It all happened in a flash and the adrenaline was running." High profile footballers have become a target for criminals in recent years. The website "Insider" reported there have been more than 20 assaults on and robberies of soccer stars and their families across Europe's top leagues since 2019.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3    |     Speed 4

MORE

25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson