PSG’s Serge Aurier Handed Two Months Prison Sentence
Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier has been sentenced to two months in prison for allegedly attacking a police officer outside a Paris nightclub.
The Ivorian was also fined €600 for damages over the incident at the nightclub in May.
He was arrested following an argument with police near the Champs-Elysees in the early hours of May 30 and put in a holding cell for “using violence on a police officer.”
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Aurier denied the charge, arguing that he was a victim of police violence.
According to the police account, the officer involved needed to take a day off work to recover from his injuries.
In addition to paying damages, he was charged a further €1,500 to cover court costs. He however said he will appeal against the decision.
“We’re appealing. Mr Aurier contests the findings. He’s not guilty and must be acquitted.” Aurier’s Lawyer Claire Boutard de la Combe said.
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In a statement, PSG said they had “taken note of the decision against Aurier.”
“Because of his appeal, PSG still presume the player innocent as the case is still ongoing,” the statement added. “Aurier can continue to play and do his job in France and abroad.
“PSG also want to emphasise his professional attitude since returning to training in July. PSG will make no further official comment until Aurier’s appeal has been judged.”
This is the latest off-the-field controversy for Aurier: he was suspended by PSG for six weeks in February after a video emerged on social media showing the 23-year-old making derogatory comments about the then head coach, Laurent Blanc.
Last season, he was banned for three games by Uefa after a Champions League game against Chelsea following a video posted on Facebook in which he labelled the referee Bjorn Kuipers a “dirty son of a bitch” over the sending-off of his then team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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He also called his team-mate Angel di Maria a “clown” as he answered fan questions on social media app Periscope.
On Friday, he was sent off for a foul in the first half of PSG’s Ligue 1 match against Toulouse.
He will remain free pending an appeal, which means he could play for PSG in the Champions League tie against Ludogorets in Bulgaria on Wednesday.
