Former Premier League winger Yossi Benayoun, who played for Liverpool and Chelsea, has narrowly escaped injury after a grenade was thrown at his family home in Ramat Hasharon, Israel. The incident, which occurred just north of Tel Aviv, is believed to have been a case of mistaken identity.
According to reports, a motorcyclist approached Benayoun’s house and threw an explosive at the door, triggering a fire. Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene to put out the flames, but thankfully, no one was injured. Local police have launched an investigation into the matter, and authorities believe it was a criminal act rather than an act of terrorism.
Benayoun, 44, expressed his belief that he was not the intended target.
“This is definitely a mistake – I have no doubt that the grenade was not aimed at my house.
“At first I thought it was a gas cylinder explosion and we called the fire department. It was only when the police arrived at the house and found the remains of a grenade that we realised what really happened,” Yossi Benayoun has said.
The ex-Israel international, who retired in 2019 after a 22-year career, is Israel’s most-capped player with 102 appearances. Benayoun made nearly 200 Premier League appearances, winning the Europa League with Chelsea in 2013.
