MUNICH − German 2014 World Cup winner, 33-year-old Jerome Boateng, appeared in court in Munich today to answer allegations he assaulted the mother of his twin daughters in 2018.
After 10 successful years at Bayern Munich, the centre-back signed a two-year deal to join French Ligue 1 side, Lyon, last week on a free transfer, but is back in Munich to face the allegations in court.
Jerome denies claims he injured his ex-girlfriend, named as Sherin S., during a heated argument while the pair were on holiday with their daughters three years ago.
A verdict is expected to be returned later today and if found guilty, Jerome could be fined or jailed for up to five years.
The original date for the hearing was postponed last December because a witness was unable to appear due to the coronavirus.
Boateng has millions of followers on social media platforms.
He and Sherin S. are locked in a separate on-going legal battle over custody of their twins.
Jerome has so far faced a turbulent year.
His ex-girlfriend − influencer and model, Kasia Lenhardt − was found dead after committing suicide in a Berlin flat in February while he was away playing for Bayern at the Club World Cup in Qatar.
He was immediately given permission to fly home after news of her death.
The 25-year-old took her life six days after Jerome ended their relationship, then gave details of the break-up during a frank interview with top German daily, Bild.
After making 363 appearances for Bayern, winning nine Bundesliga and two Champions League titles, Jerome’s contract was not extended when it expired in June before he was snapped up by Lyon.
He was a key part of the German squad, which won a fourth World Cup crown in Brazil, but has not played for his country since being axed by former German coach, Joachim Loew, in March 2019.
However, Jerome still hopes to add to his 73 international appearances under Joachim's successor, Hansi Flick − his former coach at Bayern Munich − who masterminded the Bavarian giants' treble-of-titles claim in 2019/20.
The son of a German mother and Ghanaian father, Jerome found himself at the centre of a debate over integration when he was attacked for his skin colour by the leader of Germany's far-right party in 2016.
Germany's leader, Angela Merkel, got involved and invited Jerome to an event at the chancellery, where she made a point of telling Jerome's father, who was also there: "You have a great son, you can be proud". – AFP, September 9, 2021
