Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has appeared in court having been accused of causing €183k worth of damage to a property.

According to Diario Sport, the Frenchman appeared at the Esplugues de Llobregat court for one hour this morning and testified that he was not aware of any damage being caused.

Umtiti is alleged to have caused damage to the villa of which he once resided in the town of Baix Llobregat, with the charges read to him at 11am on Thursday morning.

Football Espana report that the timing of the incident is not ideal for the player or indeed for Barcelona, as it comes the same day as a testing Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Athletic Club de Bilbao.

Umtiti immediately travelled to the local airport after the hearing, where he met sporting director Eric Abidal – himself in the headlines this week due to comments on Barcelona players – and where they would travel together to Bilbao.

Photo Credit: SkySports