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.


Witness Stand gears up for Saudi Cup’s $2m 1351 Turf Sprint

Witness Stand gears up for Saudi Cup’s $2m 1351 Turf Sprint
Updated 27 sec ago
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Witness Stand gears up for Saudi Cup’s $2m 1351 Turf Sprint

Witness Stand gears up for Saudi Cup’s $2m 1351 Turf Sprint

LONDON: Urloxhey Stables is set for its first international flat runner as Witness Stand prepares to line up in the $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint at the Saudi Cup on Saturday.

The Worcestershire-based training partnership of National Hunt trainer Richard Newland and co-trainer Jamie Insole is making a significant leap onto the global racing stage with the four-year-old gelding.

Witness Stand, a Listed winner at Newbury last autumn under jockey Kieran Shoemark, is the highest-rated UK entry in the prestigious 7-furlong contest. Shoemark, who guided the son of Expert Eye to two victories last season, will renew his partnership in Riyadh.

Acquired for 100,000 guineas ($132,159) at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, Witness Stand was identified as a value buy by Insole on behalf of owners Scott and Debbie Turner.

Recalling the acquisition, Insole told Great British Racing International: “We initially thought he’d be too pricey and his consignors Barton Stud brought him out to show me and I told them to put him away as he’d be too expensive. We were delighted to secure him and we’re excited to campaign him in 2025 and beyond.”

After arriving at Urloxhey Stables in November, Witness Stand was given a short break before returning to training. Insole has been steadily building up the gelding’s fitness, incorporating two away days at Wolverhampton to sharpen him for the Saudi challenge.

Urloxhey Stables is set for its first international flat runner as Witness Stand prepares to line up in the $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint at the Saudi Cup on Saturday. (Supplied)

“He’s a compact horse who carries his condition well, but the next 10 days will sharpen him up further,” Insole said.

The Saudi Cup’s unique seven-furlong test, which brings together sprinters stretching out and milers cutting back in trip, will pose tactical challenges. However, Insole believes Witness Stand’s adaptability is a key asset.

“The seven-furlong trip is perfect for him in a race that brings together five and six-furlong sprinters and milers dropping back in distance. He’s shown good form on quick ground at Goodwood, so that holds no concern,” he said.

Shoemark, who will travel to Saudi Arabia for a sole ride aboard Witness Stand, is optimistic about the gelding’s chances.

“He’s done a couple of pieces of work at Wolverhampton, and I’m happy with where he is at this stage,” Shoemark said. “The quick ground and track in Saudi won’t be an issue — he’s incredibly versatile both in terms of ground and trip. All he did last year was improve in a short space of time, and with his rating of 114, he fully deserves his place in this field.”

Witness Stand’s strong autumn campaign coincided with the addition of cheekpieces, which will remain in place for the Saudi Cup.

“They’ve sharpened him up and he’s worked well at home in them, so we see no reason to change what’s proven to be successful,” Insole added.

The Saudi Cup’s unique seven-furlong test, which brings together sprinters stretching out and milers cutting back in trip, will pose tactical challenges. However, Insole believes Witness Stand’s (pictured) adaptability is a key asset. (Supplied)

Shoemark also praised Insole’s approach to training, highlighting his ambition and results.

“Jamie is very passionate and proactive, and he’s not afraid to run his horses. His results last year speak for themselves, and with the quality two-year-olds and pedigrees he’s added to the yard, I think there’s more success ahead,” he said.

The international campaign marks a significant step forward for Urloxhey Stables, which was formed in December 2023 when Insole joined forces with Grand National-winning trainer Newland. Since then, the duo has sent out 27 winners on the flat and currently trains 35 National Hunt horses and 65 flat horses, including 27 two-year-olds.

“It’s a huge step,” Insole admitted.

“Last year, we showed we could improve older horses and develop two-year-olds. Now, we want to prove we can compete on the biggest stage and attract international owners. This race is fully funded, so it’s a free hit at big prize money. Even finishing sixth would bring home £50,000 ($62,914).”

Young British trainers such as George Boughey and George Scott have expanded their global presence in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain, and Insole hopes this race will be the catalyst for a similar international profile for Urloxhey Stables, adding: “We’re hoping he can run a big race and we can prove we are a professional outfit who mean business.”


Sabalenka thrashed in Dubai as Paolini’s title defense ends

Sabalenka thrashed in Dubai as Paolini’s title defense ends
Updated 4 min 4 sec ago
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Sabalenka thrashed in Dubai as Paolini’s title defense ends

Sabalenka thrashed in Dubai as Paolini’s title defense ends
Sabalenka suffered a second straight premature exit after losing in her opening match in Qatar a week ago
Tauson broke Sabalenka’s serve six times and the Dane will go on to play Czech youngster Linda Noskova

DUBAI: World number one Aryna Sabalenka slumped to a 6-3, 6-2 loss against Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the last 16 of the Dubai Championships on Wednesday, as Jasmine Paolini’s title defense came to a painful end.
Sabalenka, who beat the 38th-ranked Tauson on her way to last month’s Australian Open final, suffered a second straight premature exit after losing in her opening match in Qatar a week ago.
Tauson broke Sabalenka’s serve six times and the Dane will go on to play Czech youngster Linda Noskova, who knocked out fifth seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals.
The 22-year-old Tauson beat Noskova in the first round of the Australian Open. She also won the title in Auckland at the start of January and made the semifinals in Linz earlier this month.
Noskova will have her shot at revenge on Thursday after beating Pegula 6-3, 7-6 (10/8).
Defending champion Paolini suffered an ankle injury and was dumped out by Sofia Kenin as the fourth seed from Italy lost 6-4, 6-0 in just over an hour.
Kenin, the world number 27, raced to a 5-2 lead in the opening set before closing the door on a Paolini fightback.
Any hopes Paolini had of forcing the match to a deciding set were undone when she took a bad fall early in the second set.
Rolling over her right ankle mid-rally she played on, but was obviously suffering, and in tears.
This was Kenin’s first win over a top-five player since her victorious title run at the 2020 Australian Open.
Kenin’s reward for defeating last year’s Wimbledon and French Open finalist was a quarter-final date with Elena Rybakina after the Kazakh sixth seed overcame a tight battle with Paula Badosa 4-6, 7-6 (10/8), 7-6 (7/2).
Paolini’s loss came after a tricky start to her title defense on Tuesday.
She had reached match point before rain forced the players off the court. Over four hours later, the world No.4 returned to win the final point, beating German qualifier Eva Lys 6-2, 7-5.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen suffered a similar fate to Paolini, the Chinese seventh seed beaten in three sets by Kenin’s fellow American, Peyton Stearns.
The 23-year-old Stearns, ranked 46 in the world, fought back from a set down against last year’s Australian Open finalist to win the second round tie held over after Tuesday’s rain 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
After a brief break Stearns returned to face 12th seed Mirra Andreeva in the last 16 where her Dubai run ended, losing 6-1, 6-1 to the young Russian.
Waiting for Andreeva in the quarter-finals is second seed Iga Swiatek.
The Pole, beaten in the Australian Open semifinals last month, won the last eight games to beat Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 7-5, 6-0.
American eighth seed Emma Navarro, made it into the last 16 after defeating this month’s Abu Dhabi Open winner Belinda Bencic 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-3.
Earlier Wednesday tennis officials said Emma Raducanu was targeted by “a man who exhibited fixated behavior” after the former US Open champion was reduced to tears on court.
The 22-year-old Briton was down 2-0 in the first set against Karolina Muchova on Tuesday when she approached the umpire, then briefly took refuge behind the umpire’s chair.
Muchova went over to see what was wrong before Raducanu reappeared, wiping away tears with her towel.
The WTA said it would ban the man, who had been sitting in the first few rows of the crowd in Raducanu’s match, after what it called “the security incident in Dubai.”

Bayern’s Kane says injury could keep him out against Frankfurt

Bayern’s Kane says injury could keep him out against Frankfurt
Updated 32 min ago
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Bayern’s Kane says injury could keep him out against Frankfurt

Bayern’s Kane says injury could keep him out against Frankfurt
  • Kane hit the bar in an otherwise quiet 45 minutes against the Scottish side
  • He later told reporters that he had suffered a calf problem

PARIS: Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane said he was likely to miss Sunday’s Bundesliga game at home to Eintracht Frankfurt after he was replaced at half time in Bayern’s 3-2 aggregate Champions League victory over Celtic.
Kane hit the bar in an otherwise quiet 45 minutes against the Scottish side. He later told reporters that he had suffered a calf problem.
“We’ll have a scan tonight and then we’ll see. I’m not sure if I can play against Frankfurt on Sunday,” he told reporters at the Allianz Arena.
Kane also said that a jaw injury he suffered in a collision against Bayer Leverkusen last Saturday was still troubling him.
Bayern Munich’s Sporting Director Max Eberl also confirmed that an ankle issue had been affecting the England captain’s mobility in the first half against Celtic.
When asked about Kane’s injury problems, Vincent Kompany said that he couldn’t say at this moment how long Kane will be out for.
However, Kane reassured reporters that he is “OK.”


De Minaur, Medvedev and Rublev advance to Qatar Open quarterfinals

De Minaur, Medvedev and Rublev advance to Qatar Open quarterfinals
Updated 45 min 35 sec ago
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De Minaur, Medvedev and Rublev advance to Qatar Open quarterfinals

De Minaur, Medvedev and Rublev advance to Qatar Open quarterfinals
  • Top-seeded player Carlos Alcaraz can join them among the last eight later if he beats Italy’s Luca Nardi

DOHA: Four of the top-seeded players of the Qatar Open advanced on Wednesday to the quarterfinals of the tournament. Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev, and Jack Draper won their matches in straight sets.
Top-seeded player Carlos Alcaraz can join them among the last eight later if he beats Italy’s Luca Nardi.
Second-seeded De Minaur beat Botic van de Zandschulp by a double 6-4. Rublev, the No. 5 seed, will be Australian’s rival in the next stage. He topped Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-4.
Medvedev overcame Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-1. His next challenger will be Félix Auger-Aliassime, who advanced without having to play Hamad Mededovic.
Draper eliminated Christopher O’Connell 6-2, 6-1. His rival will be either Matteo Berrettini, who knocked out Novak Djokovic, or Tallon Griekspoor.


Real Madrid’s Bellingham banned for two matches after dissent

Real Madrid’s Bellingham banned for two matches after dissent
Updated 19 February 2025
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Real Madrid’s Bellingham banned for two matches after dissent

Real Madrid’s Bellingham banned for two matches after dissent
  • The England international was dismissed during the champions’ 1-1 draw at Osasuna
  • The disciplinary committee said Madrid’s attempts to show that Bellingham had not insulted the official were “insufficient”

MADRID: Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham was hit with a two-match La Liga ban on Wednesday by the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee after he was sent off for dissent.
The England international was dismissed during the champions’ 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Saturday by referee Jose Munuera Montero.
Bellingham, who insisted he had been expressing his frustration and not insulting the referee, will miss league matches against Girona and Real Betis on February 23 and March 2 respectively.
The disciplinary committee said Madrid’s attempts to show that Bellingham had not insulted the official were “insufficient” to remove “the presumption of veracity of the referee’s report.”
Bellingham had said his dismissal was due to a misunderstanding.


“I think you can see clearly in the video, I remember the incident very well, it was an expression (I was saying) to myself,” said the 21-year-old.
“I’m not even directing myself toward the referee, but obviously there was a misunderstanding. He’s believed that I’ve said (something insulting) to him.”
A Real Madrid source told AFP the club will appeal the decision.
Referee Munuera Montero has faced online abuse and threats in the days since sending off Bellingham, which the federation described as “repulsive.”
Real Madrid have attacked Spanish refereeing in recent weeks, calling it “rigged” in a letter they sent to the federation and published on their website.
Los Blancos have not won in their last three league games and rivals Barcelona now lead the table on goal difference.