Germany defender Arne Friedrich has been involved in a police sting after a thief attempted to bribe 5,000 euros (6,475 US dollars) from him for his Euro 2008 watch, it was reported on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Hertha Berlin captain, who has won 62 caps for Germany and played in last June s Euro 2008 final, had his special watch stolen two months ago while he was working out in a fitness centre in Berlin s up-market suburb Charlottenburg, reports the Bild tabloid.
The watch, engraved with Friedrich s name and shirt number, was a limited edition time-piece by Swiss firm IWC, presented to each member of the Euro 2008 squad by the German Football Federation (DFB), and was stolen from his locker.
A few days after the theft, the thief rang Friedrich claiming to have found the watch worth 8,900 euros (11,524 US dollars) and demanded 5,000 euros for returning the footballer s property.
The Germany star called police and a meeting was organised between Friedrich and the thief where the man was arrested and charged with extortion.
Because it involves an ongoing court case, I would not like to comment, Friedrich told Bild.
Germany lost the Euro 2008 final 1-0 to Spain.