Zambia’s international soccer star Stoppila Sunzu spent last Thursday evening in jail over alleged domestic violence involving his pregnant wife Gift, French media has reported.

According to local newspapers, the Chipolopolo central defender who plays his professional football at French league 2 side FC Metz in Lorrain, is accused of having used violence on his wife, but the player said he was only attempting to bring to an end an altercation between his wife and another woman.

He was released on Friday morning and only made the bench when his club lost 2-1 to Clermont at home on Friday night.

“Somehow, the players are blaming him for the side’s loss so he has a very important French Cup game against Monaco today (yesterday) and the club officials are not allowing him to talk to anyone so that he can focus on training, a source at the club told News Diggers, Tuesday.

“After the game you should be able to interview him and probably he can narrate what happened. But he is very fine and the issues with his wife have been resolved. I am sure you are aware that his wife is also Zambian. So maybe you can talk to her to find out what transpired.”

In February 2017, the celebrated soccer star bought a latest Mercedes-Benz GLC AMG for his wife Gift, sending an instant “Sunzu challenge” on social media as fans applauded him for demonstrating his love materially.

His family organised a surprise event for Gift’s gift at East Park mall where the black sports runner was parked and decorated with red ribbons before it was officially handed over to the lucky wife who immediately gave it a test drive.

Sunzu is a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champion and scored the winning goal against Ivory Coast in a final played in Gabon.