2023-12-19 21:36:01
By Le Figaro
Published 50 minutes ago, Updated now
Former president of Sco, of which he is still the owner, Saïd Chabane risks up to seven years in prison and a fine of 100,000 euros. SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS / AFP
The prosecutor is demanding three years in prison, including two years, for Saïd Chabane, prosecuted for sexual assault.
Three years in prison, including one with a simple suspended sentence, were requested Tuesday before the Angers criminal court against Saïd Chabane, former president and current owner of the Angers football club (L2), whom seven women accuse of sexual assault. “Each described intolerable actions», committed by the ex-president of the club, denounced the prosecutor Éric Bouillard, who also requested a deferred committal warrant. The magistrate also pointed out “the demolition company» carried out by the defense.
Since the complaint was filed, “I was told that I was corrupt, a liar, that I was looking for light“, the first woman to have accused Mr. Chabane, in January 2020, told the court on Tuesday. “You don’t file a complaint against your employer while you’re on the job for fun. I filed a complaint to denounce unacceptable, intolerable, disrespectful behavior“, she added.
Here you have a man who, like others, thinks that everything is allowed with women.
Me Guillaume Sergent, lawyer for the civil party
Six other women, employees of the Angers SCO or Mr. Chabane’s charcuterie company, filed a complaint immediately, for acts spanning from 2014 to 2019. “Here you have a man who does not consider women as his equal. Here you have a man who, like others, thinks that everything is allowed with women», argued Me Guillaume Sergent, lawyer for the civil party, during his pleading, in a courtroom that remained packed during the two days of the trial.
The defendant, tried for sexual assault “committed by a person abusing the authority conferred on him by his position», denies all the facts with which he is accused. The defense sees in the case a “declaration file», sans «elements of expertise which would consolidate one side or the other“. Of the 17 witnesses heard, “not one was cited» by the civil parties, Mr. Pascal Rouiller, lawyer for Saïd Chabane, told AFP.
Unwanted hugs and touching
During the trial, five complainants told the witness box of unwanted hugs, touching of the chest and buttocks or hands guided towards the defendant’s crotch. “We have facts which, when confronted, are strangely similar, including between victims who do not know each other. We are not dealing with a victim, we are dealing with patterns that reproduce themselves. It’s a simple observation. Do you want to say something?», asked the president, Catherine Menardais, on Tuesday morning. “No, Madam President“, he replied.
Several defense witnesses, including employees of SCO and its company, claimed that they had never been aware of such facts. “Our discussions have always been cordial and respectful (…) He is someone I appreciate“, said an employee of Saïd Chabane’s company, who works with him “two to six times a year during sales meetings». «No one came to me and said “I’m a victim of sexual assault”“, said a sales director, who then recounted the “tsunami» lived when the affair was revealed in early 2020, claiming that customers had then “turned his back».
I have been sentenced since February 2020.
Said Chabane
Monday morning, Saïd Chabane denounced at the bar a “insignificant presumption of innocence» in this matter, saying to himself “sentenced since February 2020» and, date of his indictment. Owner of the club since 2011, Saïd Chabane described himself as a man “started from scratch», patron «directive» et «demanding» but who has never maintained a relationship of “domination» with his employees.
Entangled in a succession of businesses and a catastrophic sporting situation, he gave up his place as president of the club to his son Romain in March 2023. Saïd Chabane was one of the main actors in the spectacular recovery of Angers on a sporting level including a return to L1 in 2015. Relegated at the end of the 2022/2023 season, the SCO has raised the bar. At the top of Ligue 2 after 18 days, he is one of the favorites for promotion to Ligue 1 in May. The trial is scheduled to end Tuesday evening.
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