Ligue 1 referee Abdelatif Kherradji has been sentenced to a six-month suspended prison sentence for domestic violence, following a ruling handed down on Wednesday, August 19, according to regional reporting. The 40-year-old official, who has officiated in France’s top flight for two years, faces additional mandates including a three-year mandatory prevention course and a strict non-contact order protecting the victim for the same duration.
Case Details and Court Findings
According to reports from regional media outlets including Ouest-France and Ici Gard Lozère, the prosecution had initially requested an 18-month suspended prison sentence. The legal proceedings stemmed from two separate incidents detailed by the referee’s former partner. Court records indicate that on March 13, Kherradji grabbed the victim by the neck and used physical force to prevent her from leaving their residence. Two months later, investigators found he grabbed her by the shoulder and pinned her against a wall, resulting in a three-day temporary incapacity for work (ITT) for the complainant.
Legal Defense and Appeal Plans
During the proceedings, Kherradji mounted a defense denying the allegations of abuse. As reported by regional outlets, his legal counsel asserted that the former partner had initiated physical contact by striking him with punches and kicks, maintaining that the referee acted solely in self-defense without ever mistreating her. Despite the conviction, the court ruled that the six-month suspended sentence will not be recorded on his criminal record. Defense attorney Bruno Rebstock expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, stating in local reports that the defense had originally pushed for a full acquittal and reserved the right to appeal the decision within a 10-day window.
Professional Repercussions and Next Steps
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