German defender Jerome Boateng has narrowly avoided a prison sentence after being found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
The former Bayern Munich player received a suspended fine of €200,000 ($227,000), which he will only have to pay if he commits another offense.
The case centers on claims made by Boateng’s former partner, the mother of his 13-year-old twins, regarding an incident during a 2018 Caribbean vacation.
This trial marked the third retrial of the case, with the judge describing their relationship as toxic and conflict-ridden.
Prosecutors had sought a hefty fine of €1.12 million, while Boateng’s defense argued that the incident was merely a scuffle and requested a more lenient sentence.
Boateng denied the accusations of hitting his ex-partner and throwing objects at her, calling the situation a “nightmare” and describing the allegations as a “fabricated narrative” of domestic abuse.
In her closing remarks, Judge Susanne Hemmerich dismissed the abuse allegations. A mutual acquaintance testified about the couple’s turbulent relationship, describing it as “miserable” and emotionally charged.
The court learned that Boateng had pushed his ex-partner in self-defense and that she had injured him on the lip.
Boateng was initially found guilty in September 2021 and fined €1.8 million, the maximum possible amount.
This verdict was appealed and later reduced to €1.2 million.
However, due to legal errors, the decision was overturned, necessitating a new trial.
Boateng is the half-brother of former Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng.
