"Choked his wife and pinned her to the wall": Indictment against football referee

Referee Abdelatif Kherradji, who has appeared regularly in French top-flight league matches over the last two seasons, was summoned yesterday to the criminal court in Nîmes to face trial for domestic violence. He has been under judicial supervision since May 15 and is accused of two incidents of violence, one of which, without causing injury, occurred on March 13, 2026. The verdict is expected on August 19.

According to the indictment, during an argument, Kherradji grabbed his wife by the neck and pulled her by her arms and hair. In addition, he is accused of acting violently toward his partner on May 13 by "pulling her arm, grabbing her shoulders, and pinning her to the wall." Following these actions, the complainant reportedly received three days of sick leave.

According to a report by RMC, Kherradji also filed a complaint and attached a medical certificate documenting his own injuries, presenting investigators with a version that it was a mutual assault. According to L'Équipe, the 40-year-old referee was also questioned last week by the federal referees' committee, which sought to hear his version of events.

Kherradji is currently on sick leave until August 18, and the following morning, on August 19, he is expected to hear the verdict. The prosecution has requested a suspended sentence of 18 months imprisonment, with immediate implementation of conditions, and a mandate that he undergo treatment.