Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-03-22 15:19:12
Said Chabane, the owner of French football club Angers, was sentenced to a two-year jail term on Friday, with one year suspended, for sexually assaulting six female employees. The 59-year-old was tried in western France for sexual assault that was considered to be committed through the abuse of his authority as a person in a position of power. Despite denying the charges, Chabane was found guilty, with the court giving him “the benefit of the doubt” in a seventh case. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the conviction.
Chabane had played a significant role in the remarkable success of Angers football club, guiding them to a return to Ligue 1 in 2015 after a long absence from the top division. He portrayed himself as a self-made man who had risen from humble beginnings, describing his management style as “demanding” and “authoritative”, but denying any allegations of having a “dominant” relationship with his employees. However, following the recent legal proceedings, he has transferred the presidency of the club to his son Romain in March 2023. The club was relegated to Ligue 2 at the end of the 2022/2023 season.
During the trial, prosecutors had asked for a three-year prison sentence, with one year suspended, condemning the “unacceptable” behavior that the female employees had reportedly endured at the hands of Chabane over several years. Former employees from both Angers football club and Chabane’s delicatessen business testified about incidents of unwanted physical contact, including forced hugs, and touching of their buttocks and chests. The first complaint was filed in January 2020, followed by six others covering the period from 2014 to 2019.
In addition to the sexual assault case, Chabane is also facing legal proceedings in the Paris region on charges of illegally acting as a sports agent and money laundering as part of an organized criminal group. He is one of five individuals involved in the case, all of whom deny the allegations. The trial for these charges is set to begin on Monday.
Despite his legal troubles, Chabane’s impact on Angers football club’s success and his personal narrative of overcoming adversity have been overshadowed by the serious accusations made against him. The court’s verdict is a significant blow to his reputation and raises questions about the future of his involvement in the club and the wider football community.
