In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeal in Aix-en-Provence, France, ruled on Thursday to overturn the referral of former French international footballer Wissam Ben Yedder to criminal court. This decisive ruling came after the court panel concluded there was “insufficient evidence” to proceed with the prosecution on charges of rape and attempted rape, according to judicial sources who spoke to AFP.
Background and details of the case
The roots of this case date back to July 2023, when a judicial investigation was opened against Wissam Ben Yedder (35 years old), then playing for AS Monaco, and his younger brother Sabri. The investigation was launched following accusations made by two young women who claimed they had been raped, attempted raped, and sexually assaulted during an evening in Beausoleil, in the Alpes-Maritimes region. Following the initial investigations, a decision was issued in November 2023 to refer the player to the regional criminal court, a decision which his defense team successfully appealed.
The Court of Appeal's decision and its impact
Judicial sources explained that “the investigating chamber of the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal, in a ruling issued on February 26, overturned the indictment issued on November 3, 2025, against footballer Wissam Ben Yedder in two cases of rape and attempted rape.” The sources added that the court “decided there was no basis for prosecution,” a decision that contradicted the requests of the public prosecutor, who had sought to proceed with the trial. With this ruling, the case is definitively closed unless new evidence emerges, representing a major legal victory for the player.
Reactions and career path
Following the verdict, Ben Yedder expressed his happiness on his X account, saying: “I am happy with the court’s decision. I have always maintained my innocence, and today the Court of Appeal has vindicated me. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me from the beginning.” His lawyer, Sofia Kriba, stated: “We are very satisfied with the decision. My client has consistently maintained his innocence.” This development comes at a crucial time for Ben Yedder, who recently transferred to Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca, where he is seeking to revive his football career, leaving behind the legal troubles that have plagued him in recent years. These troubles have included tax evasion charges in Spain and allegations of “psychological abuse” against his ex-wife.
