A French prosecutor has requested a jail sentence of two years and six months, including 18 months suspended, against French soccer star Wissam Ben Yedder after he went on trial for sexually assaulting a woman last month.
The prosecutor said the firm prison term could be adaptable and Ben Yedder's lawyers are confident he will escape jail even if he is convicted, lawyer Marie Roumiantseva told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Ben Yedder remained free ahead of Tuesday's hearing in the southern city of Nice after he was accused of sexual assault while intoxicated.
“Although not a single day in prison against Ben Yedder has been asked for, the requisitions are very harsh for facts that are both legally questionable and not very serious,” Roumiantseva said.
The court will hand down its decision on Nov. 12.
The hearing took place after a woman filed a lawsuit against Ben Yedder for sexual assault last month.
The 34-year-old Ben Yedder, a prolific striker who has also played for the national team, was briefly detained then released after the incident in his car on the French Riviera. He was arrested at his home later that night after he first refused to stop his car.
After his arrest, Ben Yedder — who has since started alcohol detox and therapy — admitted he drove while under the influence. He said during the trial he was so drunk he has no recollection of any kind of sexual assault.
Ben Yedder's legal team hopes for an acquittal on the sexual offence, which it claims has not been established.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Frank Michel, said during the trial that she was in a “state of shock” and asked for 25,000 euros ($27,225) in damages, L'Equipe newspaper reported.
The prosecution also asked for Ben Yedder's driving license to be suspended for six months.
In a separate legal case last year, Ben Yedder was charged with rape, attempted rape and sexual assault over another alleged incident in the south of France.
Ben Yedder has been without a club since his contract with Monaco expired at the end of last season.
He scored 16 goals with three assists in the French league last season to help Monaco finish second behind Paris Saint-Germain. In five seasons with Monaco, he scored 118 goals in 201 appearances in all competitions to become the club’s second-highest scorer behind retired Argentine striker Delio Onnis (223).
Ben Yedder has 19 caps for France, the last of which came in June 2022.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder celebrates scoring his second goal during a French League One soccer match between Lyon and Monaco at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
Tyrrell Hatton snapped a club in two and cursed loudly after shots at the World Tour Championship in Dubai on Saturday, with his conduct earning the hot-headed English golfer a fine from the European tour and a rebuke by a broadcaster for setting a “terrible" example.
The 18th-ranked Hatton's general unhappiness with his game in Dubai this week boiled over during the third round of the season-ending tournament at the Earth Course.
It started in ignominious fashion when he lazily attempted to tap in from barely a foot for par at the fourth hole — only for the ball to strike the back of the cup and lip out — and finished when he threw his ball toward the water guarding the green at No. 18 after completing his round.
In between those incidents, the most grievous example of Hatton's poor behavior came at No. 14 when he pulled his third shot at the par-5 No. 14 and pressed his iron so hard into the ground that it snapped.
Ewen Murray, a commentator on British broadcaster Sky Sports, reacted by saying: “It’s time for change, I’m afraid. That’s a terrible influence on the next generation.”
Earlier, Hatton angrily took a swipe at a divot after missing the green with his approach to No. 8. And his behavior became more erratic on the 11th when, after missing a five-foot putt for birdie, he slammed his putter down on the green and repeatedly swore in comments picked up on TV.
He was heard cursing again on the 13th after his tee shot settled on the fringe.
After the round, the European tour confirmed Hatton’s behavior breached its code of conduct.
“He will be fined as a result,” the tour said.
Hatton started the third round one shot off the lead and ended it three back from joint leaders Rory McIlroy, Rasmus Hojgaard and Antoine Rozner.
The 33-year-old Hatton, who has won tournaments on both sides of the Atlantic and is a three-time Ryder Cup player, joined the breakaway LIV Golf series early this year but still plays events on the European tour.
He is renowned as one of the most combustible golfers around, often heard chattering away to himself after shots.
On Friday, while playing No. 18 at the Earth Course, Hatton was heard saying: “I despise everything about this hole.”
The course was designed by Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf.
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Tyrell Hatton of England hits off the first tee during the first round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Tyrell Hatton of England lines up a putt on the 17th green during the first round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Tyrell Hatton of England reacts after he missed a shot on the 13th green during the second round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Tyrell Hatton of England plays his second shot on the 2nd hole during the second round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
