Former AS Monaco Striker Wissam Ben Yedder Receives Sentence for Multiple Offenses

Former AS Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder has been handed a two-year suspended prison sentence by the Nice criminal court after being found guilty of sexual assault, alongside charges of drunk driving and refusal to comply. The court additionally imposed a six-month driving ban and fined him €5,000. Furthermore, Ben Yedder is required to pay €5,000 in moral damages to the victim, marking a significant legal repercussion for the ex-footballer.

The incident leading to these charges took place on September 6 at the Marquet beach car park in Cap-d’Ail, where Ben Yedder, after consuming a substantial amount of alcohol, coerced a young woman and another individual into his vehicle. The complainant, a 23-year-old woman, reported that Ben Yedder locked the car doors, drove to his residence, and made unwelcome physical advances, restraining her when she attempted to exit the vehicle. She eventually managed to escape and sought refuge behind trash bins until she could alert the authorities. At the time of his arrest, Ben Yedder's blood alcohol content was recorded at 1.52g/l.

In court, Ben Yedder cited memory loss due to his intoxicated state and mentioned personal issues such as troubles with his agents and ongoing divorce proceedings as contributing factors to his behavior. Despite his defense requesting acquittal and challenging the evidence, the prosecution, led by Laura Goudé, pushed for a 30-month sentence. Goudé criticized Ben Yedder’s vague account of the events and accused him of treating the victim merely as an object. This case has not only legal consequences for Ben Yedder but also severely tarnishes his personal and professional reputation.