Former Atlético Madrid and Sevilla player sentenced to prison
The Belgrade Court of Appeals has sentenced Zoran Njeguš, a former player for Red Star, Atlético Madrid, and Sevilla, to two years in prison for money laundering. Njeguš was convicted of handling 650,000 euros received between 2009 and 2010 from the late criminal Vitomir Bajić, knowing the funds were illicit. The money was used to acquire businesses, with the former footballer acting as the registered owner to conceal its origin. Bajić's widow, Draginja Bajić, and two other accomplices were also sentenced to prison terms.
The Court of Appeals in Belgrade has sentenced Zoran Njeguš, a former footballer for Red Star, Atlético Madrid, and Sevilla, to two years in prison after convicting him of money laundering funds received from the notorious criminal Vitomir Bajić, who died in an Italian prison while facing criminal proceedings.
According to the verdict, between September 2009 and March 2010, Njeguš received 650,000 euros from Bajić in Zlatibor. The court determined that he was aware the money originated from criminal activity. These funds were used to purchase businesses, with the former footballer remaining the registered owner, a move the court described as a deliberate effort to conceal the true source of the capital.
In addition to Njeguš, Bajić's widow, Draginja Bajić, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison and fined 500,000 dinars; two other accomplices were also handed prison sentences.
The ruling is not yet final. The court of first instance had previously acquitted Njeguš, but the second-instance court overturned that decision, granting the defense the right to appeal to the third instance of the Belgrade Court of Appeals.
Njeguš, 53, began his career at Sloboda Užice before moving to Red Star Belgrade in 1995. Three years later, he was signed by Atlético Madrid, becoming Arrigo Sacchi's first acquisition during the summer transfer window. The defender/midfielder scored five goals in 70 appearances for the Colchoneros before being loaned to Sevilla in 2001.
He ultimately played for Sevilla for three years, scoring one goal in 61 matches. However, he faced disciplinary action following a late return from the winter break during the 2003/04 season. During legal proceedings, he claimed that he "suffered from depression, ate compulsively, and gained eight kilograms" as a result of the club's sanctions. He retired from professional football shortly thereafter.
