Wissam Ben Yedder, the former France international football player, went on trial Tuesday in Nice, France, charged with sexually assaulting a woman last month. The 34-year-old, known for his tenure as captain of AS Monaco and as the club’s second-highest goal scorer, is currently without a team and struggling with alcoholism.
According to the investigation, on the evening of September 6, Ben Yedder met a woman during a night out and invited her into his car. The woman reported to police that he performed a sexual act in front of her.
The woman immediately filed a complaint, leading to Ben Yedder’s arrest later that night. His lawyers, Hasna Louze and Marie Roumiantseva, stated, “Mr. Ben Yedder is remorseful for being the cause of such a situation” and expressed that he is “sincerely sorry for the plaintiff” and “will take responsibility for his actions.”
Ben Yedder, who holds both French and Tunisian passports, has been under strict police supervision while awaiting trial but has not been detained. The charges against him carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
In addition to this trial, Ben Yedder faces another case set for December regarding charges of psychological violence against his wife, amid their ongoing divorce proceedings. He is also accused of raping another woman during the summer of 2023, with that investigation still ongoing. Ben Yedder has denied both accusations.
Ben Yedder began his professional career in Toulouse before moving to FC Sevilla. In 2023, a Spanish court found him guilty of tax fraud while residing in Spain, resulting in a six-month suspended sentence. He joined Monaco in 2019, scoring 118 goals in 201 matches, but his contract was not renewed upon expiration this year. He has scored three times for the French national team in 19 appearances.