Former La Liga and Ligue 1 star Wissam Ben Yedder convicted of SEXUAL ASSAULT; handed 2-year prison sentence

French forward Wissam Ben Yedder has been handed a two-year long prison sentence for sexually assaulting a woman in France in September.

Former La Liga and Ligue 1 star Wissam Ben Yedder convicted of SEXUAL ASSAULT; handed 2-year prison sentence

Wissam Ben Yedder has been handed a two-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting a woman. (via Instagram)

French forward Wissam Ben Yedder has been handed a suspended two-year prison sentence along with a hefty fine on charges of sexual assault. The 34-year-old was convicted after a month-long trial in France on charges of sexually assaulting a woman while being intoxicated.

The 34-year-old, who last played for Monaco, holds an incredible record of having scored over 180 goals in the French Ligue 1. Ben Yedder was arrested in September this year, after an unnamed woman filed a lawsuit against him.

The footballer had reportedly driven the young woman to an underground car parking in his personal vehicle on the French Riviera. He had then sexually assaulted her, attempting to touch her thighs while being intoxicated. Ben Yedder and his lawyers, however, refuted those accusations.

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The footballer was arrested from his residence at night on 6th September. He has been handed a two-year prison term, after a month-long trial. However, prosecutors had requested a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence.

Ben Yedder has also been ordered by a Nice court to pay a compensation of €6500 to the victim. He will also see his driving license getting suspended for six months. He has been told to receive treatment for his alcohol addiction, having already started by attending Alcoholics Anonymous therapy.

Ben Yedder, during his trial, had even admitted that he drove under the influence of alcohol. During the trial, he stated that he could not recollect any instance of assault. The Frenchman had been previously charged in another case of rape and sexual assault, following an incident in the southern France.

French forward Wissam Ben Yedder’s career over the years 

Known for his brilliant goal-scoring abilities, Wissam Ben Yedder has played for just three clubs in his 15-yearlong football career. The 34-year-old forward has featured for Monaco, Sevilla and Toulouse, having made more than 500 club appearances. Ben Yedder has also made 19 appearances for France.

Wissam Ben Yedder career
Wissam Ben Yedder has played for Monaco and Sevilla, while also featuring for France. (via Daily Mail)

A prolific striker, he last played for Monaco, ending the 2023-24 season with 20 goals. Ben Yedder has scored around 280 goals at club level, and three goals for his national side. He was a part of France’s 2020-21 Nations League winning squad.

He was also voted as the Ligue 1 Player of the Month on multiple occasions. The 34-year-old, however, finds his career in jeopardy, and remains a free agent.

Ben Yedder is not the only French player to be charged with sexual assault. Ex-Man City star Benjamin Mendy and Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema were also charged with cases of sexual assault and violence previously.