Ligue 1 footballer arrested after being caught masturbating in public

Farid El Melali was reportedly caught masturbating in public on Monday and will now face charges of indecent exposure, according to AFP.

The Algerian footballer had just signed a new contract with Ligue 1 club Angers, valid until 2023, on Monday.

Police say they questioned the 22-year-old on Monday evening after his neighbors claimed they saw him exposing himself in front of the building.

"He did not target anyone and was not aggressive towards anyone," said his lawyer, Sandra Chirac-Kollarik.

 However, the attacker admitted to behaving inappropriately when questioned by police, saying he had been alone in the courtyard of the building in question.

El Melali was released by police but will face charges of indecent exposure. He is expected to appear in court before pleading guilty.

The prosecutor also said that El Melali is guilty of another similar offense that occurred in April, although witnesses in that case were unable to identify him.

His club Angers has said it will wait for the final decision, but has admitted it is aware of the situation.

The winger has spent a long period on the sidelines due to injuries, but had scored five goals in eight games for his club this season before Ligue 1 was cancelled due to the coronavirus.