Superstar free agent in police custody over serious allegations

Robin Bairner

9 Sep 2024 13:20 CDT
2 min read

Wissam Ben Yedder, Monaco, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

France international striker Wissam Ben Yedder stands accused of ‘sexual assault while intoxicated’ and was placed in police custody over the weekend.

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Released by Monaco in the summer following the expiration of his contract with the Stade Louis II club, Ben Yedder has enjoyed a career that has taken him to Toulouse, Sevilla and Monaco, while with France he was a winner of the 2020/21 Nations League.

Once regularly linked with a move to the biggest clubs in the Premier League, the 34-year-old finds himself a free agent and in the midst of serious legal issues.

He has been under investigation for ‘rape, attempted rape and sexual assault’ since the summer of 2023, and L’Equipe reports that he spent last weekend in police custody following a fresh complaint against him for ‘sexual assault’.

L’Equipe reports: “The events allegedly took place during the night from Friday to Saturday in the Alpes-Maritimes… Ben Yedder ended up being arrested by the police, around 3 a.m., in a state of intoxication.”

After being released from police custody, Ben Yedder has been called to a hearing on 15 October.

The prosecution has appealed against a decision that means the striker will not be kept in detention until the hearing. Instead, he has been placed under a strict judicial order that means he cannot leave the region and cannot go out between 8pm and 6am, nor go to bars or nightclubs, or come into contact with the victim.

In addition, he will have to report to the police twice per week and undergo medical treatment.

L’Equipe contacted Ben Yedder’s lawyer, Hasna Louze, who did not wish to comment on the case.

These issues have been a hot topic of debate in France following Mason Greenwood signing for Marseille, having had charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against him dropped.

Greenwood denied these claims.