"There was never a knife," Belhanda responds to violence accusations from ex-Demirspor teammate

Belhanda admits to punching Bjarnason during Adana Demirspor training in 2022 but denies wielding a knife to threaten him.

Younès Belhanda has responded to accusations made by former Adana Demirspor teammate Birkir Bjarnason on the Chess After Dark podcast. Belhanda confirmed a physical altercation during a training session ahead of the 2022-23 season, saying he punched Bjarnason after the Icelandic player struck him with elbows multiple times. "It's true I hit him on the pitch, he fell KO. But waiting for him with a knife, no, there was never a knife," Belhanda said on the Riolo Club podcast.

Bjarnason had previously claimed Belhanda struck him in the groin and delivered a violent punch to the chin during a five-a-side training match, then waited for him in the changing room with a knife. Belhanda's account differs significantly, stating he apologized the next day and that Bjarnason subsequently demanded his removal from the team. The 36-year-old Moroccan international, who now plays in Qatar, dismissed the knife allegation entirely.