Court lifts rape charges against Franco-Tunisian star Wissam Ben Yedder

A dramatic legal twist has emerged in the case involving former France international Wissam Ben Yedder, after a French appeals court overturned a previous ruling that had sent him to trial on serious criminal charges.

The Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal on Thursday annulled the decision to refer Ben Yedder and his brother, Sabri, to a jury trial on allegations of rape and attempted rape. The ruling effectively halts prosecution proceedings against the former striker, reversing a lower court’s judgment issued in November last year.

The appellate court’s decision represents a significant legal victory for the defense. Lawyers representing both Ben Yedder and his brother welcomed the outcome with visible relief, arguing that the earlier move to escalate the case to criminal court had been based on a flawed interpretation of the evidence.

Despite strong opposition from the public prosecutor and legal representatives of the civil plaintiffs—who had pushed for the case to proceed to trial—the higher court ultimately sided with the defense. The judges reportedly found their arguments persuasive both in terms of factual analysis and legal reasoning, leading to the dismissal of the referral order.

The development brings a major shift in a case that has hovered over the striker’s career in recent months.

On the sporting front, Ben Yedder has been rebuilding momentum. In January 2026, he signed a six-month contract with Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, marking a new chapter in his professional journey. Since arriving, the forward has made five appearances and netted once, contributing to a campaign that currently sees Wydad sitting second in the domestic league standings.

With the legal cloud now significantly lifted following the appeal ruling, attention is likely to turn back to Ben Yedder’s performances on the pitch as he seeks stability and resurgence in Morocco.