French footballer Wissam Ben Yedder has been handed a suspended sentence of two years in prison after being convicted of sexual assault in a case dating back to September. The ruling, which came on Tuesday, follows a trial in the southern city of Nice, where the 34-year-old striker was accused of assaulting a woman while intoxicated.
Ben Yedder, who was once a key player for AS Monaco and has represented France at international level, was ordered to pay €5,000 ($5,300) in compensation to the victim. The court also mandated that Ben Yedder undergo treatment, although his sentence was suspended, meaning he will not serve time unless he reoffends.
The prosecutor had initially sought a sentence of two years and six months, with 18 months suspended, while the plaintiff’s lawyer requested €25,000 in damages, describing the victim as being in a state of shock following the assault.
The incident occurred on the French Riviera, where Ben Yedder was accused of assaulting the woman while he was heavily intoxicated. He was briefly detained after the assault and later arrested at his home that night after initially refusing to stop his vehicle. Ben Yedder admitted to being drunk during the trial and claimed to have no recollection of the events in question.
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In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a six-month suspension on Ben Yedder’s driving license. Ben Yedder, who has been without a club since his contract with AS Monaco expired in the summer, has also started alcohol detox and therapy following the incident.
Ben Yedder’s legal troubles are not limited to this case. He was also charged with rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault in a separate case last year, although no verdict has been reached in that matter.
Throughout his career, Ben Yedder was known for his goal-scoring prowess, netting 118 goals in 201 appearances for Monaco. His most recent appearance for France came in June 2022, bringing his total to 19 caps for the national team.
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