Wissam Ben Yedder received a suspended prison sentence for sexual assault

french football star Wissam Ben Yedder He was given a two-year suspended prison sentence on Tuesday after being tried last month for sexually assaulting a woman in France, one of his lawyers told The Associated Press.

The prosecutor requested a prison sentence of 2 years and 6 months, with 18 months suspended.

Ben Yedder, accused of sexual assault while drunk, was ordered to pay €5,000 ($5,300) in compensation to the victim, lawyer Marie Roumiantseva said. The court in the southern city of Nice also tasked Ben Yedder with monitoring the treatment.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Frank Michel, said during the hearing that the victim was in shock and wanted compensation of 25,000 euros.

Ben Yedder was charged in September after a woman filed a lawsuit against him. He can appeal the decision.

The 34-year-old player, a productive striker who also plays for the national team, was detained for a short time after the incident in his car on the French Riviera, and was then released. He was arrested at his home later that night after he initially refused to stop his car.

The court also decided to suspend Ben Yedder’s driver’s license for six months.

Ben Yedder, who started alcohol detox and treatment after his arrest, admitted that he was driving while drunk. He was so drunk during the hearing that he said he did not remember any sexual assault.

Ben Yedder has been without a club since his contract with AS Monaco expired at the end of last season.

Last season, he scored 16 goals and made 3 assists in Ligue 1, helping Monaco take second place behind Paris Saint-Germain. In his five seasons at Monaco, he scored 118 goals in 201 appearances in all competitions, becoming the club’s second-highest goalscorer behind retired Argentine striker Delio Onnis (223).

Ben Yedder has made 19 appearances for France, the last of which was in June 2022.

In a separate case last year, Ben Yedder was charged with rape, attempted rape and sexual assault in relation to a separate incident in the south of France.