Impact admits Diouf was detained over shoplifting allegations By Steven Sandor Posted on September 1, 2011 Comments Off on Impact admits Diouf was detained over shoplifting allegations 0 579 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Just when things started to go right for the Montreal Impact, the club has had to come clean about an embarrassing incident on its most recent road trip. The club confirmed Wednesday that Senegalese forward Mignane Diouf was detained at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Sunday, accused of stealing a pair of headphones worth US$600. Diouf was detained, but later allowed to return to Montreal. The incident came after the red-hot Impact pulled to within three points of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers for the final NASL playoff spot with a 2-0 win over NSC Minnesota. The Impact released this terse statement Wednesday: Mignane Diouf “The Montreal Impact confirms that forward Mignane Diouf was detained Sunday, at the Minneapolis-St.Paul international airport, prior to the team’s return to Montreal. “Diouf was arrested for allegedly shoplifting. The club has hired counsel to provide legal representation for the player. “The organization will not comment until all information is gathered regarding this situation.” If Diouf were to be convicted of shoplifting, a criminal record would compromise his career in NASL or MLS down the road — as U.S. immigration would become an issue. (Diouf has not been convicted or even charged at this time). According to the U.S. government’s immigration FAQ, “You will not be forgiven if you just return the item you stole. It may be considered a crime ‘involving moral turpitude’ and it may be a ground of inadmissibility into the U.S.”
