Newcastle United defender Amar Dedic has responded to his police interview over a bow and arrow incident by comparing himself to the fictional archer Legolas from The Lord of the Rings. Officers confiscated the weapon on Wednesday after stopping a vehicle in Darras Hall, an exclusive area about seven-and-a-half miles northwest of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Police operation and seizure
Two men, including Dedic and a friend, were reported to Northumbria Police after being seen near a reservoir in Northumberland with the weapon. Six police vehicles, including armed units, were deployed, and the footballer was interviewed after being located in the civil parish of Ponteland.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said on Wednesday that "enquiries are ongoing." The force added: "Shortly after 1.55pm on Wednesday, we received a report of two men carrying a bow and arrows while walking along a track by the reservoir on Military Road in the Harlow Hill area. Officers attended and subsequently stopped a vehicle in the Darras Hall area and seized a bow and arrows. At this stage, it is understood they were for recreational use, and there was no threat to the public."
Social media response
Dedic broke his silence in the comments section of a Newcastle Instagram post celebrating his call-up for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club's post read: "Amar Dedic has been named in the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad for their games against Sweden and Romania over the international break. Congrats, @amar_dc!"
In response, Dedic shared a GIF of Legolas, the elf portrayed by Orlando Bloom in the film trilogy, showing the archer with a quiver of arrows. The post has drawn over 20,000 likes and more than 300 replies, many featuring bow-and-arrow emojis. Other responses dubbed Dedic the "Bosnian Robin Hood," with one saying the "Sheriff of Nottingham will be relieved," and parallels were drawn with Marvel superhero Hawkeye.
Career context
Dedic has made 10 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Benfica in the summer transfer window for approximately £30million. He signed a five-year deal and previously worked with head coach Matthias Jaissle at Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. At international level, he has 31 caps for Bosnia and featured in three of their four fixtures at this summer's World Cup.
He has not played for Bosnia since re-aggravating a hamstring injury before the season's first international break. Bosnia went unbeaten through their first four Nations League games and sit second in League B, Group 4.
