Former France striker Wissam Ben Yedder gets 2-year suspended jail sentence in sexual assault case

Former France striker Wissam Ben Yedder gets 2-year suspended jail sentence in sexual assault case
Former AS Monaco star and French national team forward Wissam Ben Yedder was given a two-year suspended prison sentence by the Nice Criminal Court on Nov. 12, 2024 for a sexual assault in Sept. (AFP)
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Updated 12 November 2024
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Former France striker Wissam Ben Yedder gets 2-year suspended jail sentence in sexual assault case

Former France striker Wissam Ben Yedder gets 2-year suspended jail sentence in sexual assault case
  • The prosecutor requested a jail sentence of two years, six months, including 18 months suspended
  • The plaintiff’s lawyer, Frank Michel, said during the trial that the victim was in a state of shock and asked for 25,000 euros in damages

PARIS: French soccer star Wissam Ben Yedder received a suspended sentence of two years in prison on Tuesday after his trial last month in France for sexually assaulting a woman, one of his lawyers told The Associated Press.
The prosecutor requested a jail sentence of two years, six months, including 18 months suspended.
Lawyer Marie Roumiantseva said Ben Yedder, who was accused of sexual assault while intoxicated, was ordered to pay compensation of 5,000 euros ($5,300) to the victim. The court in the southern city of Nice also imposed on Ben Yedder a duty to follow treatment.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Frank Michel, said during the trial that the victim was in a state of shock and asked for 25,000 euros in damages.
Ben Yedder was charged after a woman filed a lawsuit against him in September. He can appeal the ruling.
The 34-year-old player, 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.
The court also ordered the suspension of Ben Yedder’s driving license for six months.
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 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 times 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.
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.


Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes as Ferrari vie for constructors’ title

Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes as Ferrari vie for constructors’ title
Updated 16 sec ago
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Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes as Ferrari vie for constructors’ title

Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes as Ferrari vie for constructors’ title
  • Sunday’s floodlit Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit will mark the end of an era as the seven-time champion ends a remarkable 12-year spell with the ‘silver arrows’ and a 26-year association with the Mercedes brand
  • Ferrari offered Hamilton a contract that runs until 2026, which Mercedes were not prepared to do, giving him a continued platform not only to bid for an unprecedented eighth title, but also to promote diversity and inclusion

ABU DHABI: Lewis Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes, the team that carried him to six world titles, this weekend as his future outfit Ferrari, seek to snatch a first constructors’ crown in 16 years from McLaren, his first F1 home.

For all concerned, Sunday’s floodlit Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit will mark the end of an era as the seven-time champion ends a remarkable 12-year spell with the ‘silver arrows’ and a 26-year association with the Mercedes brand.

He will then move on to Ferrari where, Italy hopes, he can rediscover the mojo that made him the sport’s most successful driver with seven titles and 105 wins before hitting a trough of frustration in the current ‘ground effect’ era.

This has seen Red Bull return to dominate with Max Verstappen winning four consecutive drivers’ titles even if this season saw them decline, a fall that sees McLaren hanging on to a 21-point lead on Ferrari entering the decisive season-ending race.

McLaren have not won the teams’ title since 1998 while Ferrari ‘s last success came in 2008 since when the championship has been dominated by Mercedes and Red Bull. A change is long overdue.

Despite his travails in recent weeks, notably in Brazil and Qatar, Hamilton will leave Mercedes feeling conflicting emotions.

“It is a celebration of everything we have achieved,” said team boss Toto Wolff of the anticipated finale.

“We will honor an unparalleled story in Abu Dhabi and then visit Kuala Lumpur, Stuttgart and both Brixworth and Brackley... Lewis will always be part of our family.”

He added that before Hamilton’s final visits to the team’s various centers, the “entire team wants to add on more highlight to the reel.

“Nothing is going to take away 12 incredible years. That’s the memory, not a season of races that were particularly bad.”

Ferrari offered Hamilton a contract that runs until 2026, which Mercedes were not prepared to do, giving him a continued platform not only to bid for an unprecedented eighth title, but also to promote diversity and inclusion.

For Hamilton, a Ferrari title success on Sunday could be a perfect prelude to his move and help erase his recent tantrums and comments about ending races and the season early.

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur declared he is not at all worried by Hamilton claiming he has lost his speed.

“Not at all,” he said. “Have a look at the 50 laps he did in Vegas. Starting P10, finishing on the gearbox of Russell. No, I’m not worried.”

Hamilton, who will be 40 in January, remains determined to “rise again” and make his mark.

“I’m still standing,” he said. “It’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up.”

Carlos Sainz, whose seat he is set to take, will also be seeking a happy exit as he and Charles Leclerc bid to overturn McLaren’s lead before he leaves for Williams.

“Twenty-one points requires a perfect weekend from Ferrari and a bad weekend from McLaren,” he said.

“We’re going to give it our best shot. I think if we nail a good weekend, we could still make it happen. Nothing to lose.”

On form, at a circuit likely to favor them, McLaren start as favorites but, after winning in Qatar, Verstappen will seek a 10th win this year with his usual vim as Red Bull say goodbye to sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who is moving to Sauber/Audi.

The Dutchman may also carry prickly motivation from his Qatar fallout with Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell, a daunting spectre for his rivals.

His Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez may also be in his last race with the team after a hapless run while Alpine welcome Jack Doohan for his debut as replacement for Esteban Ocon.


DAZN awarded global TV rights for FIFA Club World Cup

DAZN awarded global TV rights for FIFA Club World Cup
Updated 05 December 2024
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DAZN awarded global TV rights for FIFA Club World Cup

DAZN awarded global TV rights for FIFA Club World Cup
  • A source close to the negotiations told AFP the contract was worth around €1 billion ($1.05 billion)
  • DAZN chief executive officer Shay Segev called the deal “groundbreaking“
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the deal as a great one for fans

MIAMI, Florida: British streaming service DAZN has been awarded the exclusive global rights to broadcast next year’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the US, FIFA announced Wednesday.

“The landmark agreement will see all 63 matches... live-streamed, free to view on DAZN worldwide,” read a statement from FIFA.

A source close to the negotiations told AFP the contract was worth around €1 billion ($1.05 billion).

The announcement came on the eve of Thursday’s tournament draw which is set to take place in Miami.

DAZN chief executive officer Shay Segev called the deal “groundbreaking.”

“We’re committed to ensuring that every fan can watch every moment of the thrilling action from this new prime club tournament,” he said.

FIFA are expected to announce next week that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. The Gulf nation is the only bidder for the tournament.

FIFA had initially held talks with Apple about broadcasting the tournament but those discussions reportedly ended in July and the organization launched a tender process.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the deal as a great one for fans.

“Through this agreement, billions of football fans worldwide can now watch the most widely accessible club football tournament ever — for free,” he said in a statement.

The tournament will see some of the world’s best club teams battle it out in what is effectively a curtain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup taking place a year later in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Twelve top clubs from Europe, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain, will feature alongside top teams from South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

In November, Inter Miami, who feature eight-times Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, were handed a place in the tournament to represent the host nation.

Games will take place across the US from June 15 to July 13. The opening game will be held in Miami with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Yet for many, Infantino’s passion project is a tournament too far, an unwelcome addition to an already crowded global calendar that exhausted players say has pushed them close to breaking point.

Javier Tebas, the chief of Spain’s La Liga, has been one of the Club World Cup’s most outspoken critics, telling Infantino in October to cancel the tournament, citing apathy from broadcasters and opposition from clubs.


Corner kings Arsenal beat Man Utd to close gap on Liverpool

Corner kings Arsenal beat Man Utd to close gap on Liverpool
Updated 05 December 2024
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Corner kings Arsenal beat Man Utd to close gap on Liverpool

Corner kings Arsenal beat Man Utd to close gap on Liverpool

LONDON: Arsenal worked their set-piece magic to beat Manchester United 2-0 on Wednesday, ending Ruben Amorim’s unbeaten start to life in the Old Trafford hotseat and closing the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
United frustrated the home side and kept the crowd quiet at the Emirates in a cagey first half but Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock from a corner after the break and William Saliba repeated the feat.
The win leaves Arsenal in third place in the Premier League, behind Chelsea on goal difference and seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who were held to a 3-3 draw at Newcastle.
Amorim made six changes from the team that brushed Everton aside 4-0 at the weekend, dropping in-form Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford from his starting line-up.
Gabriel was a significant absence from Arsenal’s defense, joining Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori on the injury list.
Amorim traveled to London with two wins and a draw from three matches in all competitions, keenly aware that Arsenal would be his biggest test yet.
The Gunners hogged possession in the opening moments and had the ball in the net in the fourth minute through Gabriel Martinelli, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Mikel Arteta’s men should have been ahead just minutes later when Thomas Partey skewed his header wide from a corner.
Martinelli flashed just wide from another corner midway through the first half as Arsenal continued to look dangerous from set-pieces.
United were content to bide their time when they had the ball but they looked blunt in attack.
The visitors could have gone in ahead at half-time had Diogo Dalot not steered just wide with a right-footed shot in the 43rd minute.
The two teams, both in goalscoring form, produced a combined five shots in the opening 45 minutes, with none on target.
The game picked up tempo at the start of the second half, with Diallo replacing Tyrell Malacia for United.
Feeding off a more vocal crowd, a re-energised Arsenal put United under pressure, finally breaking the deadlock when Timber headed his first goal for the club from a Declan Rice corner.
Amorim reacted quickly, bringing on forward Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee and handing French teenage defender Leny Yoro his United debut.
Diallo won a free-kick after fine work on the right in the 66th minute and Arsenal were grateful to goalkeeper David Raya, who pushed away a powerful Matthijs de Ligt header from Bruno Fernandes’s free-kick.
Arsenal doubled their lead from a Bukayo Saka corner in the 73rd minute when Partey’s shot hit Saliba and beat Andre Onana.
Arsenal have scored more goals from corners — 21 — than any other side in the Premier League since the start of last season.
Onana got down well to save a Kai Havertz shot as Arsenal threatened to cut loose.
United just about managed to keep them out but Amorim will know that he has a big job on his hands.


Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid

Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid
Updated 05 December 2024
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Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid

Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid
  • The defeat and Mbappe’s penalty miss will heap further pressure on to the former Paris Saint-Germain striker’s shoulders after plenty of criticism in recent weeks

BILBAO, Spain: Kylian Mbappe missed another penalty as champions Real Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday.
A week after the French superstar failed from the spot in the Champions League against Liverpool he endured further misery from 12 yards as Los Blancos allowed league leaders Barcelona to retain their four-point advantage.
Alejandro Berenguer fired Bilbao ahead early in the second half, with Jude Bellingham levelling for Madrid after Mbappe’s penalty miss.
However substitute Gorka Guruzeta snatched fourth-place Athletic victory in the 80th minute after a Fede Valverde mistake.
The defeat and Mbappe’s penalty miss will heap further pressure on to the former Paris Saint-Germain striker’s shoulders after plenty of criticism in recent weeks.
Madrid were hoping to build on three consecutive wins in La Liga, despite missing Vinicius Junior and other injured stars, with coach Carlo Ancelotti bringing French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni back into the starting line-up.
Thibaut Courtois made an important early intervention to deny Spain winger Nico Williams, with his brother Inaki Williams lurking dangerously.
It was a first half of few clear chances but played with intensity before a packed San Mames stadium.
Mbappe found the net but the goal was ruled out for offside and the referee reviewed a Rodrygo penalty appeal but decided the Brazilian winger went down too easily.
At the other end Berenguer should have put the hosts ahead but blasted high over the bar after Inaki Williams’ clever backheel teed him up.
The forward made amends early in the second half by bundling home from close range after Courtois could only palm an Inaki Williams cross into his path.
Mbappe had the chance to level for Madrid from the spot when Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala barrelled into Antonio Rudiger.
After missing his penalty against Liverpool, Mbappe agreed to let Jude Bellingham take one against Getafe on Sunday.
However this time the French forward stepped up himself but his weak effort, again to the goalkeeper’s left, was at a comfortable height for Agirrezabala to parry.
Mbappe did play a part in Madrid’s equalizer, though, with a vicious drive from distance that the stopper could only push out into the path of Bellingham, who finished tidily for his fourth goal in his last four league games.
Madrid were only level for two minutes before Bilbao regained the lead through Guruzeta, who stole the ball as Valverde prepared to pass and fired low past Courtois.
Mbappe cut a deflated figure in the final stages, with one attempt to break in down the left quickly shut down by the Athletic defense to raucous cheers from their jubilant supporters.
Barcelona thrashed Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday to move four points clear of Madrid, who have played one game fewer.


De Bruyne masterclass helps Man City end seven-game winless streak

De Bruyne masterclass helps Man City end seven-game winless streak
Updated 05 December 2024
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De Bruyne masterclass helps Man City end seven-game winless streak

De Bruyne masterclass helps Man City end seven-game winless streak

MANCHESTER: Manchester City snapped a seven-game winless streak as Kevin De Bruyne played a starring role in a 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
The Belgian created Bernardo Silva’s opening goal and then scored the second before Jeremy Doku rounded off a much-needed victory for the English champions.
City’s barren run included six defeats to leave them 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool before kick-off.
However, De Bruyne’s return to the starting line-up for the first time in nearly three months helped resume normal service at the Etihad Stadium.
City move back into the top four and within nine points of Liverpool after their 3-3 draw at Newcastle.
Pep Guardiola had to shoot down suggestions of a rift with De Bruyne on the eve of the game after bedding him back into action slowly with a series of substitute appearances.
The 33-year-old showed what City have been missing as he rolled back the years and could well have had more than just one goal.
Guardiola reacted to Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool by making four changes as Josko Gvardiol, Doku and Jack Grealish also came into the team.
It took just eight minutes for City to make the breakthrough.
Ilkay Gundogan’s cross was headed back toward goal by De Bruyne and Silva was in the right place to tap home from centimeters out.
Guardiola claimed pre-match that Ederson remains his number one goalkeeper but the Brazilian was again benched in favor of Stefan Ortega.
The German made a big save to deny Morgan Gibbs-White before Forest missed a glorious chance to put the Etihad crowd back on edge.
Chris Wood’s fine goalscoring form has been the catalyst to a fabulous season so far for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.
But the New Zealander was wayward as he fired wide with just Ortega to beat.
De Bruyne settled City nerves on 31 minutes when he collected Doku’s pass inside the area and coolly slotted into the top corner.
Erling Haaland has now failed to find the net in his last three Premier League games.
But the Norwegian did play a part in the third goal with the assist for Doku, who cut inside and fired into the far corner.
De Bruyne saw a free-kick curl just wide and was then denied a second by his international team-mate Matz Sels.
He was given a standing ovation when he departed 15 minutes from time.
City spectacularly collapsed from 3-0 up to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in the Champions League eight days ago.
However, there was never any sense of a repeat as they controlled the closing stages to add a clean sheet to an all-round restorative night for Guardiola’s men.
Defeat leaves Forest still in sixth but now four points off the top four.