Sir Mo Farah reported to cops for ‘attacking couple and dodging hotel bill’ amid furious row with track legend Haile Gebrselassie

SIR Mo Farah has been sensationally accused of attacking a couple in a hotel gym in a poisonous war of words with fellow long distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie.

The Ethiopian star, 46, claims the British Olympic hero, 36, was reported to the police over his "disgraceful conduct" while staying at his Yaya Africa Athletics Village Hotel.

His staff claim they reported Mo to police for "attacking" a married athlete and his wife in the complex's gym in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Gebrselassie, who is a double Olympic 10,000m gold medallist, also claims that the British star failed to pay his £2,170 service bill even after he was allegedly given a 50 per cent discount.

Sir Mo Farah strongly denies the allegations made against him.

The bitter public spat began when Farah, 36, claimed in an Instagram video that he lost two phones, a watch and £2,500 when his travel bag was ransacked on his 36th birthday while staying at the hotel.

He said Gebrselassie had failed to investigate the alleged theft properly and ignored his text messages.

Mo, who is in training for Sunday's London Marathon, immediately moved out of the hotel as he “didn’t feel comfortable” insisting he tried to contact Haile.

The Ethiopian, 46, hit back on Twitter accusing the Somalia-born Londoner of "blackmail" and "defaming" his reputation and business.

'DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT'

Gebrselassie said he is considering suing for defamation.

A source close to the 46-year-old said the alleged brawl was sparked by four-time Olympic hero Mo who believed the couple were "following him."

He said: “It was in the gym. A man and a woman, a couple were working out.

“So was Mo. They were also using the equipment.

“Mo got angry because he thought they were following him. They were just doing their exercises.

“He got very angry and started to beat and kick the guy. The woman tried to interfere and then he started kicking and beating her."

Gebrselassie claims a criminal charge was filed against Mo after the alleged assault, but the case was dropped because of his own intervention.

His source added: “They went to the police to write a report.

“Haile went to the police and he was protecting him, he’s a famous guy, you cannot do this. He got away with it.";

He got very angry and started to beat and kick the guy. The woman tried to interfere and then he started kicking and beating her

A source close to Gebrselassie

Speaking about the theft allegations made by Farah, the source said: "Mo is the first person to have stuff stolen from Yaya.

“The strange thing is two days before the robbery he gave the safety box back to reception. Two days later, all of a sudden there was a theft.”

Mo said he returned from a run on March 23 to find his case busted open and items stolen.

He believes staff members used a hotel key to steal his money and belongings, including an expensive Tag Heuer watch, from his room which allegedly had a faulty safe.

Five people were arrested in relation to the alleged robbery but were released without charge.

Gebrselassie said hotel guests are told to declare if they are carrying cash over £271 and are given the option of using a safe box or giving it to the staff for safe-keeping.

He claims that Mo chose to hold onto his money meaning the hotel is not legally accountable for it.

According to the Ethiopian runner, Londoner Mo sent him a text accusing him of not making “any effort to find my stolen money and especially my watch.”

The alleged text added: “Know that I am not responsible for what I say during the press moment in London and what influence will it have on your personality and that of your business.

“Greetings from a very disappointed friend... Sir Mo.”

Haile has accused Mo of “blackmail” by allegedly sending him the message.

Sir Mo is adamant the row will not distract him as he aims to be the first British man in 26 years to win the London Marathon.

His spokesman said he is disappointed by Gebrselassie’s response and “continued reluctance by the hotel and its owner to take responsibility for this robbery”.

He also denied the extraordinary attack allegations made against Mo.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Brit runner said: "Mo is disappointed with this statement and the continued reluctance by the hotel and its owner to take responsibility for this robbery.

"Mo disputes all of these claims which are an effort to distract from the situation, where members of his hotel staff used a room key and stole money and items from Mo Farah's room (there was no safe as it was faulty, and Mo requested a new one).

"Police reports confirm the incident and the hotel admitted responsibility and were in contact with Mo's legal advisor.

"The hotel even offered to pay Mo the amount stolen, only to withdraw the offer when he prematurely left the hotel and moved to other accommodation, due to security concerns.

"Despite many attempts to discuss this issue privately with Mr Gebrselassie, he did not respond but now that he has, we would welcome him or his legal team getting in touch so that this matter can be resolved."

Mo previously spoke about the alleged ransacking of his room at a media event before the London Marathon.

He said: "Just to be honest, it's Haile who owns the hotel and when you stay for three months in that hotel, it was very disappointing to know that someone who has that hotel and that kind of support couldn't do nothing."

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