Ex pro footballer jailed after stabbing love rival in the back in front of terrified schoolgirl over nightclub row

A FORMER footballer who stabbed a love rival in the back after a nightclub row has been jailed.

Ibrahim Meite, who played for Cardiff City, launched into the grim attack in front of a terrified schoolgirl in Putney, South West London.

The 25-year-old knifed Rio Amos, 24, in the back before he was slashed in return by Amos as he fled the scene.

Meite has now been jailed for 15 months after being found guilty of wounding with intent, unlawful wounding and possession of a knife.

The footballer claimed he only approached Amos to "clear the air" after a nightclub row over a girl that descended into "pushing and shoving".

But Judge Tregilgas-Davey said this was a "sanitised" version of events for what was clearly a "revenge attack".

Kingston Crown Court heard how Meite ambushed Amos while driving his white Mercedes through London in September 2019.

CCTV showed him getting out the car to speak to his rival as a third man Leon Hughes, who had been in the passenger seat, performed a "pincer movement" to distract him.

Meite then stabbed Amos in the back - "catching him unawares" while his "attention was split between the two men";.

The horror unfolded in broad daylight in front of ";clearly alarmed" members of the public including a schoolgirl and baby.

As Meite fled the scene, Amos produced a "footlong" blade and stabbed the striker as he fell over.

He suffered a string of injuries including a 1.5cm gash to his chest, cut on his leg and a 7cm deep wound on his wrist.

Amos self-presented at hospital with a stab wound to his back, where officers discovered he had a second knife.

He was cleared of wounding with intent and a verdict was not reached on unlawful wounding.

Amos was handed a 16-month sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of a bladed article.

Hughes is due to be sentenced at a later date after being found guilty of unlawful wounding.

Meite was known as The Shark thanks to his goal-scoring success for non-league clubs including Harrow Borough.

In 2016, he had a trial at Leicester before turning professional after he was signed by Cardiff City in January 2017.

Meite later moved to League Two side Crawley Town in 2019 and made 21 appearances in total.

He also had spells at Woking at Derry City before joining Isthmian League Premier Division side, Wingate & Finchley.