Jérôme Boateng faces another court case.
The timing is tricky: Former World Cup winner Jerome Boateng has to attend court again in Munich, where the Euro 2024 kick-off game is happening. His ex-girlfriend claims he assaulted her physically. Boateng denies it, which is under examination for the fourth time.
As Germany eagerly awaits the start of the European Championship, a World Cup champion from 2014 faces another court appearance. And that's in Munich, where the opening game is scheduled to take place in the evening. This new trial concerning Jerome Boateng has commenced at the Munich I Regional Court on charges of physical harm. His previous girlfriend alleges he injured her in a Caribbean trip in 2018 and threw objects at her. He refutes these accusations.
This trial has gone on for years, and the matter keeps recurring. The defender of FC Bayern Munich, who recently transferred from the Italian club US Salernitana to Austria's Linzer ASK, has faced previous fines. The Munich District Court decreed a fine of 60 penalties of €30,000 each adding up to €1.8 million in 2021. Then, the Regional Court in Munich sentenced Boateng in the second instance for physical harm and defamation to a €120 penalty fines totaling €1.2 million. However, the Bavarian Higher Regional Court negated the verdict, and now the case resurfaces.
The judge's words rang out as the trial started in courtroom A101, where Boateng entered fashionably late. He wore a dark suit and white shirt. The hearing was interrupted by Judge Susanne Hemmerich shortly after it began, addressing Boateng's defence and prosecution to reach a concord. She'd practiced law for 40 years, having never witnessed such heavy media coverage prior to the trial.
The judge remarked on the case's length, partly due to COVID-19 but also the court's inefficiency. The ongoing conflict between Boateng and his ex-girlfriend forced their families to read negative news about them for six years. Judge Hemmerich recommended a finale "to bring the kids some peace."
But after 30 minutes of closed-door conversation, it was clear that a resolution outside the courtroom wouldn't occur. The trial continued with Boateng denying the accusations.
"I don't harm women or exert pressure on my partners. I never secretly track anyone down," Boateng countered. "I'm just a normal person with strengths and weaknesses. I'm the one who stays calm during arguments, not the aggressor."
The ex-girlfriend, also the mother of their twin kids, alleged Boateng threw a windmill and a cool box at her, then hit her. But Boateng distorted this, saying he only defended himself after she instigated physical violence.
"I regret what happened, and I've already apologized," he said, referring to a long ordeal he described as "a nightmare that's been going on for years."
The mystery of the injuries
"I was hoping to play at the highest level for a few more years," Boateng told the court. "But I can't since I'm suspected of domestic violence." Moreover, he lost his sponsorships as he was portrayed as a wife beater. "I initially didn't want to discuss private matters, but now I don't want to stand by and let my reputation and future be destroyed," he added.
Boateng claimed not only did his former partner seek monetary compensation but also wanted compliance with the agreed custody for their kids. "The day after the Caribbean incident, she said to me, 'I want a deal or take my case to the police tomorrow'," he shared.
Evidence of Boateng's ex-girlfriend's alleged injuries were then presented - bruises on her upper arms, a black eye, and a bloodstained shirt. Boateng attributed the bruising to kickboxing she regularly practised, saying the blue eye was unknown to him. The bloodstains on the shirt were from his split lip sustained when she assaulted him.
Boateng's representative, Thomas Knipp, told RTL before the trial commenced, "Mr. Boateng will undoubtedly seek justice. Justice doesn't always entail a not-guilty verdict; that wouldn't be particularly embarrassing in court - and he's well aware of this."
In turn, the court's spokesperson, Laurent Lafleur, shared, "The law allows for a premeditated offense involving bodily harm - the alleged crime - as well as a pr operator'really dangerous bodily harm - an additional accusation - a penalty or a jail term of up to five years. For the latter, the law stipulates a prison sentence of six months to ten years."
Boateng's former partner serves as a plaintiff in the case. She was physically absent during the initial hearing. Instead, her counsel Carolin Lütcke spoke on her behalf. "Bild" newspaper reported that she announced, "A lot of dirt is being spread about my client today. The defense strategy is foreseeable and hinges on the same narrative for domestic abuse. Women are said to lie constantly, wanting money, and seeking revenge. I hear this all the time."
The process will continue on June 21st. Boateng's ex- girlfriend is scheduled to testify. The verdict, as per the court's schedule, may occur on July 19th. Prior to the final judgement in the matter, Boateng is assumed innocent according to legal provisions.
