Signing with Sepahan FC
Ben Yedder, who had been out of contract since his departure from Monaco in 2024, has signed a deal with Iranian club Sepahan FC, a five-time champion in the Persian Gulf Pro League. The club confirmed the signing in a statement but did not disclose the terms of the agreement.
Based in Isfahan, Sepahan stated that Ben Yedder successfully underwent medical tests and is now awaiting his international transfer certificate before he can officially return to competitive football.
Legal Issues and Court Sentences
Ben Yedder has been embroiled in multiple legal cases in recent years. In 2023, a court in Nice convicted him of sexual assault while intoxicated, resulting in a suspended prison sentence and an obligation to undergo treatment. The 34-year-old striker was briefly detained before being released following the incident, which took place in his car on the French Riviera.
Additionally, Ben Yedder faces another ongoing legal case involving preliminary charges of rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault related to an alleged incident in southern France.
His legal troubles are not confined to France. In 2023, a Spanish court sentenced him to a six-month suspended prison term for tax fraud during his time playing for Sevilla between 2016 and 2019.
A Once-Prolific Career
Before his legal troubles, Ben Yedder was among the most consistent forwards in European football. He scored 118 goals in 201 appearances across all competitions for Monaco, making him the club’s second-highest scorer behind Argentine legend Delio Onnis (223 goals).
In the 2023-24 season, Ben Yedder netted 16 goals and provided three assists in Ligue 1, playing a key role in Monaco’s second-place finish behind Paris Saint-Germain.
On the international stage, he earned 19 caps for France, scoring three goals. His last appearance for Les Bleus came in June 2022.
Looking Forward
Despite his past achievements, Ben Yedder now faces the challenge of rebuilding his professional career in Iran. If he receives his transfer certificate, he will have the opportunity to return to competitive football in a league far from the European spotlight.
As he seeks to put his off-field controversies behind him, it remains to be seen whether the move to Sepahan will allow him to regain his form and reputation on the pitch.