Guilty verdict for LASK player Boateng

In the lengthy court drama surrounding allegations of domestic violence against LASK newcomer Jerome Boateng, a verdict was reached today at the Munich I Regional Court: The 35-year-old was found guilty of intentional bodily harm by Judge Susanne Hemmerich and received a fine of 300,000 euros.

The 35-year-old football star got off lightly. The public prosecutor’s office originally demanded a fine of 1.12 million euros.

• Also read: LASK: Boateng will play even if found guilty

Boateng was accused of attacking his former partner, with whom the professional footballer has 13-year-old twin daughters, during a Caribbean vacation in 2018. The former German team player threw a lantern and a cooler bag at his ex-girlfriend, spat on her, pulled her hair, hit her in the face and bit her in the head. The woman suffered bruises and abrasions and cut herself on the shards of the lantern. The 2014 world champion also threatened that their children would be placed in a home if the woman reported the incidents.

“Will play football with us”

The 35-year-old had already been sentenced to a fine of 1.8 million euros by the Munich District Court in 2021, and in the second instance the Munich I Regional Court then imposed a fine of 1.2 million euros for bodily harm and insult. The Bavarian Supreme Regional Court then overturned the verdict due to legal errors.

At the end of May, Germany’s former world champion surprisingly signed with Bundesliga football club LASK. Even before the verdict was announced, managing director Siegmund Gruber made it clear that the 35-year-old would continue to play for the athletes even if he was convicted. “As long as the court does not impose a sentence that prevents Mr. Boateng from practicing his profession, he will play football for us and pursue his profession. We will not change that,” said the club boss in an interview with OÖN.