Sad day after evening for French handball.
Arrested and placed in police custody during the night from Monday to Tuesday, handball player Benoît Kounkoud, just European champion with the French team, is accused of attempted rape in a nightclub near the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
The French Handball Federation wanted to react this Wednesday through a press release.
“FFHandball has taken note of the accusations against Benoît Kounkoud, placed in police custody on Tuesday morning in Paris.
FFHandball is not in a position to comment on this matter at this stage, and remains attentive to the follow-up that will be given by the judicial authorities.
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Received by Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée the day after the final victory against Denmark, the new European champion continued the festivities in a nightclub in the Champs-Élysées district.
According to the first elements of the investigation, it is in this night establishment that Benoît Kounkoud would have pulled down his pants around 4:30 a.m. and attempted to rape a young woman.
Alerted to the situation, a security guard then kept the player there until the arrival of the BAC night police officers.
Without directly incriminating its player, the FFH nevertheless claims to maintain a position of intolerance in the face of violence and “severely condemns such facts, when they are established and regardless of the person accused”.
FFHandball's position on the situation of Benoît Kounkoud ⬇️ https://t.co/60lT6T3k4N pic.twitter.com/mA63dfQToj
— FFHandball (@ffhandball) January 31, 2024
The Kielce club also reacted immediately regarding its player, and intends to take the necessary measures to sanction the right winger if the facts come to be proven.
“Following the information published by the French media regarding Benoît Kounkoud, the club is in contact with the French Federation and the player's manager, treating this matter seriously and at the same time condemning any behavior that violates the rules of social life.
After obtaining official information regarding the incident, the club will take all appropriate measures.
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The penalty for the offense of sexual assault is 5 years' imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros.