Angers Football Club Owner Said Chabane Receives Jail Term for Sexual Assaults

Said Chabane, the owner of French football club Angers, has been handed a two-year jail term, with one year suspended, for sexually assaulting six female employees.

The trial held in western France centred around charges of sexual assault “committed by’ a person abusing the authority conferred on him by’ his position.”

Despite strongly denying the charges, Chabane was convicted, albeit receiving “the benefit of the doubt” regarding a seventh case. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the conviction, emphasizing his innocence.

Chabane’s importance in Angers’ sporting resurgence cannot be understated. Under his ownership since 2011, the club experienced a remarkable journey culminating return to Ligue 1 in 2015 after a prolonged absence of two decades.

However, his tenure faced a downturn when the club was relegated to Ligue 2 after the 2022/2023 season. Notably, Chabane handed over the club presidency to his son Romain in March 2023.

During the trial, prosecutors highlighted the gravity of the offences, seeking a three-year prison term with one year suspended. Former employees of both Angers Football Club and_ Chabane’s cold cuts business testified, recounting instances of forced hugs and_ inappropriate touching endured over several years.

The first complaint was filed by’ a club employee in January 2020 upon returning from a business trip to Madrid. Subsequently, six additional complaints spanning from 2014 to 2019 were lodged against Chabane.

Adding to the legal woes, Chabane faces another trial starting Monday in the Paris region. The charges include the illegal exercise of sports agent activity and_ money laundering as part of an organized gang, alongside four co-defendants, all of whom deny the allegations.