Rising Eels star stood down amid Sydney gangland war
A young Eels rising star has missed two months of footy after being stood down by the club over safety concerns in the midst of a deadly Sydney gangland war.
Mohamed Alameddine’s last NSW Cup appearance for the Eels came on June 8, when he scored his side’s only try in a 60-4 mauling by the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
Mohamed Alameddine has not played in the NSW Cup since June. Supplied
The Alameddine family is in the midst of a war with the so-called Coconut Cartel over control of Sydney’s drug trade.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported a drone was used to spy on a gangland rival during a junior match in April, which prompted a meeting between members of NSW Police’s anti-gang Raptor Squad and the NSWRL.
Then the day after the Eels-Bulldogs clash, two of Alameddine’s family members were confronted by a gunman outside a western Sydney school. The pair escaped unharmed after the gunman’s weapon jammed.
NSW Police again contacted Parramatta, but did not direct the club to stand him down. The club elected to on the grounds of not only his safety, but also that of fans and teammates.
Nine.com.au does not suggest the talented winger is himself involved in the conflict, and he is not accused of any wrongdoing. Alameddine is contracted to remain at Parramatta until the end of next season. He is yet to make his first-grade debut.
Parramatta was first notified after an alleged assassination plot on Sydney rapper Ay Huncho – real name Ali Younes – was foiled. Police allege the drone had been deployed by several would-be assassins during a junior match another of Younes’ family members was playing in. Younes is alleged to be a senior member of the Alameddine’s organised crime family.
The Herald reported Mohamed Alameddine has been absent from training, but continues to follow a specialised individual program. He remains in contact with his teammates via WhatsApp.
The Eels declined to comment on the situation.
In February, former NRL player Matt Utai was shot multiple times in a “targeted” drive-by shooting. His son Iziah has links with the Alameddine family.
Mohamed Alameddine has scored eight tries from his 12 NSW Cup appearances. He had been a regular in the starting side this season before he was stood down.
