Former France international footballer Wissam Ben Yedder received a two-year suspended jail sentence on Tuesday for a sexual assault incident that occurred in September.
Ben Yedder, who previously captained French Ligue 1 club Monaco, has been without a club since leaving Monaco last season.
According to reports, on the night of September 6, the 34-year-old footballer met a woman while out drinking. Ben Yedder allegedly invited her into his car, where he performed an indecent act. The woman immediately filed a police complaint, leading to Ben Yedder’s arrest later that night.
In court, Ben Yedder claimed he could not recall the events due to alcohol. “I don’t remember anything; I can’t say if I did it. It’s because of alcohol that I’m here,” he said, explaining that he had entered a rehabilitation program after the incident. However, he did not attend the sentencing on Tuesday.
Ben Yedder is also facing additional legal troubles. Another trial in December will examine charges of psychological abuse against his wife, from whom he is currently divorcing. In a separate case, a different woman accused him of rape in the summer of 2023, an allegation he has denied, and investigations are ongoing.
Known for his goal-scoring abilities, Ben Yedder started his professional career at Toulouse, then played for Spanish club Sevilla, where he was found guilty of tax fraud in 2023 and given a six-month suspended sentence. After joining Monaco in 2019, he scored 118 goals in 201 matches but was not re-signed after his contract expired this year.
He also played for the French national team, scoring three goals in 19 appearances.
