Trial of soccer player Jérôme Boateng for assault begins in Munich

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Jérôme Boateng in September in Lyon

Photo: JEFF PACHOUD / AFP

The trial of former German national soccer player Jérôme Boateng begins this Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Munich district court.

The public prosecutor's office accuses the ex-Bayern star and 2014 world champion of willful bodily harm.

The 33-year-old is said to have injured his ex-girlfriend during a dispute on vacation.

Boateng denies the allegations, according to his defense lawyer Kai Walden.

It is testimony against testimony and the former partner has no evidence for their allegations, said the lawyer.

In his opinion, the proceedings should have been discontinued.

Boateng wanted to comment on the allegations at the start of the process.

The presumption of innocence applies until a judgment is reached.

Central defender Boateng was one of the most famous faces of the German national soccer team for years.

He has played for FC Bayern since 2011 and now works for Olympique Lyon.

Shortly before his 33rd birthday, he signed a two-year contract with the French first division club until the summer of 2023.

Boateng also hit the headlines at the beginning of the year because his former girlfriend Kasia Lenhardt had committed suicide.

The soccer player had previously claimed in a "picture" interview that she had blackmailed him.

Since the introduction of the former national player on Instagram, the club has received numerous messages under hashtags such as #boykottboateng and #boatengnoidol (Boateng no idol).

Because there should only be six seats for journalists in the negotiation room due to the corona restrictions, media representatives were already standing in front of the courthouse on Wednesday evening to get one of them.

The court initially only set one day of the trial.

But it was not yet clear whether there would be a decision on Thursday.

According to a spokeswoman, the taking of evidence is planned.

Witnesses are also invited.

kha / dpa / AFP