Article by Aurelian Botezatu – published on Thursday, August 14, 2025, 09:26 / Updated Thursday, August 14, 2025 09:27
His striker Schalke, Moussa Sylla (25 years old), he is accused of abandoning his dog, who has reached a shelter! Risk a fine or, in the worst case, 2 years in prison.
Ghost, a dog from a mixed breed, with a large proportion of American Staffordshire Terrier, was illegally brought to Germany and bought by Schalke's player, Moussa Sylla. But later, the 25-year-old striker left a trainer and would have told a club employee that he is no longer interested.
Moussa Sylla, Schalke's striker 04 / Photo: Imago
Moussa Sylla, on the starting foot from Schalke. Offers from 4 clubs
The quadruped arrived on August 5 at the animal shelter “Albert Schweitzer” in Essen, where it is now. Because “Ghost” is considered a “dangerous dog” according to the Law on dogs in the North-Westphalia Renania and should not have been imported without the appropriate documents, Sylla risks a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine!
But until then, it seems that the whole situation seriously disturbed the club chiefs, who would have suggested to the striker to find a new job. According to the French publication L'équipe, four clubs (Seville, Valencia, Swansea, Angers) are interested in Sylla.
The Ghost dog will be returned to his country of origin
His dog will not stay for the shelter in Essen. Nicole Mutschke, lawyer and legal expert Bild, explained that “if a certain canine breed, such as a Pit Bull Terrier or an American Staffordshire Terrier, is illegally imported, the authorities take action.
There are high chances that the animal will then be returned to its country of origin. This is regulated by section 4 of the Ordinance on the transport and import of dogs ”.
The press release published by Moussa Sylla's lawyer: “The trainer illegally detained the dog. He is not abandoned”
Moussa Sylla's reaction? A statement published by his French lawyer Dylan Bourkab. “Without a thorough verification of the facts, the press spread unfounded and manipulated accusations from the Ghost dog's caretaker, whose real name is Luffy. She deliberately chose to interrupt any contact with the Sylla family, despite its repeated requests to return the animal.
It is important to emphasize that Ghost has never been abandoned. This trainer illegally detained the dog and all the official documents regarding him, in an unjustified attempt to claim the right of ownership. In addition, the same tights asked for a sum of money, disguised as a donation to the protective society of animals, as a condition for returning the dog of my customers ”, Bourkab argues.
