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Djibril Cissé is facing a legal battle over tax evasion.
Former Liverpool star Djibril Cissé has been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence and fined ₦185.3 million (£85,000) after being found guilty of tax evasion in France.
The 43-year-old ex-striker, who played two seasons at Anfield, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2005, faced accusations of owing ₦1.4 billion (£660,000) in unpaid taxes.
The court hearing in Bastia proceeded in Cissé’s absence, with the verdict set to be delivered on November 13.
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According to Le Parisien, prosecutors claimed that Cissé, now a DJ and football pundit, failed to declare an outstanding debt of ₦1.013 billion (£465,000) linked to an account set up to handle his tax affairs.
Additionally, the former France international was accused of not reporting ₦425.1 million (£195,000) in VAT revenue generated from his image rights.
In his defense, Cissé's lawyer, Malcolm Mouldaia, argued that the ex-footballer had been misled by his accountants, who failed to manage his finances correctly or keep him informed. Mouldaia stressed that there was no case of money laundering or deliberate tax fraud.
Djibril Cisse: From the pitch to the courts
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Cissé's career has been marked by both sporting triumphs and legal battles.
After joining Liverpool from Auxerre for £14 million in 2004, he quickly became a fan favorite, scoring 24 goals in 82 appearances and helping the club win the Champions League and the FA Cup.
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Following his stint with Liverpool, Cissé moved to Marseille, initially on loan, and later played for Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers, and several international clubs across Greece, Italy, Qatar, Russia, and Switzerland.
Cissé, who earned 41 caps for France and scored nine goals, has since transitioned into a career as a DJ and football commentator.
Despite his success on the field, his financial troubles have kept him in the spotlight, including the recent court case.
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