Former Ivory Coast international footballer Aboulaye Traore has been sentenced to three years in prison for rape, according to an Ivorian women’s rights organisation.
Nicknamed “Ben Badi,” the former striker was part of the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations–winning squad with the Elephants and remains a popular figure in Ivory Coast.
In a statement, the Ivorian League for Women’s Rights said the Bouaké court delivered the verdict on Wednesday, describing it as a “significant advance in the fight against impunity for sexual and gender-based violence.”
The court also ordered the payment of 15 million CFA francs (about $26,700) in compensation to the victim and imposed a five-year ban on the former player from appearing in the central region, the group added.
According to a judicial source, Traoré was found guilty of non-consensual sexual relations involving a 21-year-old woman in March 2021.
Before retiring, Traoré was a cult figure at Abidjan club ASEC Mimosas and also played in Europe for clubs including FC Metz and Portugal’s S.C. Braga.
AFP
