Aminata Diallo's Alleged Attack on Teammate Sparks Tonya Harding Comparisons

A soccer star's alleged attack on another player is prompting comparisons to Tonya Harding today.

In France, Paris St-Germain (PSG) women's midfielder Aminata Diallo has been taken into police custody following an attack on one of her teammates last week.

According to French outlet L'Equipe, Diallo's fellow club player Kheira Hamraoui was assaulted by two masked men on November 4.

The 31-year-old, who also plays in the midfield position on the team, was dragged out of her car and hit on her arms and legs with an iron bar.

Diallo has been arrested in connection with the attack.

In a statement on the club website, PSG confirmed that "Versailles Regional Police Service as part of the proceedings opened following an attack on the Club's players last Thursday evening."

The statement continues: "Paris Saint-Germain condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence committed.

"Since Thursday evening the Club has taken all necessary measures to guarantee the health, well-being and safety of its entire women's team.

"Paris Saint-Germain is working with the Versailles Police to clarify the facts. The Club is paying close attention to the progress of the proceedings and will study what action to take."

Diallo's alleged attack on her fellow athlete has been likened to figure skater Tonya Harding's infamous attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan in 1994, which remains one of the biggest sporting scandals in history.

The attack was orchestrated by Harding's ex-husband and took place during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that year, with the assailant intending to break Kerrigan's knee to render her unable to compete in the upcoming Olympics.

Harding went on to win the Championships and has always maintained her innocence, however, she plead guilty to hindering the prosecution's investigation into the assault.

The scandalous events were depicted in the 2017 dark comedy I, Tonya starring Margot Robbie as Harding.

As news of Diallo's alleged attack on Hamraoui spreads, many people are reminded of the Harding scandal from nearly three decades ago.

"Holy s*%#. This is Tonya Harding but worse—her own teammate! Unbelievable," tweeted ESPN's Sarah Spain.

While sportswriter Flo Lloyd-Hughes tweeted: "Um, Tonya Harding wants her vibe back......"

"What in the Tonya Harding..." added lawyer and writer Kelsey Trainor.

Jasmine Baker, a women's sports culturalist, posted: "Not a Tonya Harding in 2021."

While another Twitter user added: "If Tonya Harding EVER thought her past would be forgotten, she was sadly mistaken! This chick (left) took a page right outta Tonya's playbook!"