Footballer Fined Ksh 13.6M for Causing Wife Psychological Torture

Former France international Wissam Ben Yedder has been convicted of psychological violence against his estranged wife, resulting in a substantial fine.

The 35-year-old, known for his time at Monaco and Sevilla, received the verdict on Wednesday, 3 September 2025. This marks his second conviction in less than a year.

Conviction and Financial Penalties

The court ordered Ben Yedder to pay a fine of 90,000 euros [Ksh13,616,100].

In addition to the fine, he must pay 60,000 euros, with half allocated for damages to his wife and the other half covering legal fees.

This penalty is significantly higher than the eight-month suspended sentence and 10,000-euro fine that France's public prosecutor’s office had requested.

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Ben Yedder did not attend the verdict, but his lawyer, Marie Roumiantseva, confirmed that he intends to appeal the ruling. The couple are currently undergoing divorce proceedings.

"Ben Yedder was ordered to pay 60,000 euros, half in damages to his wife and half in legal fees".

A String of Legal Issues

This conviction for psychological violence follows another serious legal outcome for Ben Yedder earlier this year.

In November 2024, he was given a suspended two-year jail sentence for sexually assaulting a woman.

This incident, which occurred in September 2024, involved Ben Yedder performing an intimate act in front of a woman in his car after an inebriated outing.

At the time, his lawyers, Hasna Louze and Marie Roumiantseva, stated he was "remorseful for being the cause of such a situation" and "sincerely sorry for the plaintiff," adding he "will take responsibility for his actions".

Charges for sexual assault can carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

His legal team reported Ben Yedder as "sincerely sorry for the plaintiff" after his sexual assault charge.

His legal troubles extend further back. In 2023, a Spanish court issued a six-month suspended sentence for tax fraud, which occurred during his time playing for Sevilla between 2016 and 2019.

Moreover, Ben Yedder and his brother, Sabri, are currently under investigation for the alleged rape of two women in 2023, accusations that both men deny.

An additional claim of rape from another woman in the summer of 2023 is also being investigated by police. Ben Yedder has denied both rape accusations.

Football Career in Decline

Wissam Ben Yedder was once a significant player on the field, representing France internationally and captaining Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. He is celebrated as Monaco's second-biggest goalscorer ever, having netted 118 goals in 201 matches for the club.

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He also scored three times in 19 appearances for the French national team. His career started at Toulouse before a move to FC Sevilla.

However, his contract with Monaco was not extended when it expired this year. He has been without a club since a brief spell earlier this year at Sepahan in Iran.