France Star Once Among World's Highest-Paid Players Sent to Prison Over Shooting
One of the highest-paid French players in 1999 was sentenced to five years in prison, of which two were suspended, following his retirement from football.
After football, the usual route ex-players take is either forging a career in coaching/management or talking about the game on podcasts, radio, or television.
But for one former France international, his life followed a negative spiral after hanging up his boots in 2011.
The name Tony Vairelles may bring back a few memories for the most avid of France fans as the former forward earned eight caps for Les Bleus between 1998 and 2000.
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The now-52-year-old is best known for his time at Ligue 1 sides Nancy, Lens, and Bordeaux.
Back in 1999, he reportedly earned £21,153 per week – the seventh-highest in the French top flight.
At the time, he earned more than Premier League icons Alan Shearer and Michael Owen.
After retiring in 2011 following a spell at Gueugnon, he was sentenced to a total of five years in 2022, over his role in the shooting of three bouncers injured at a nightclub in Meurthe-et-Moselle in October 2011.
The former striker was sentenced to three years in prison with two suspended for armed violence, as per ICI.
The trial took place almost 11 years after the incident.
His three brothers – Fabrice, Jimmy, and Giovan - were also sentenced at a Nancy court over their roles in the shooting.
Fabrice, like Tony, received a combined five-year sentence while Jimmy and Giovan were given three years, two of which were suspended.
Tony has always denied his and his brothers’ involvement in the shootings.
As reported by France Info, Tony previously served five months in pre-trial detention in 2012.
The outlet later reported that in October 2023, the former footballer was sentenced to 36 months, 18 of which were suspended, in prison by the Nancy Court of Appeal over the incident in 2011.
His brothers’ sentences were also altered, with Fabrice receiving the same as Tony, while Giovan and Jimmy were each sentenced to 18 months in prison, 12 of which were suspended.
According to La Depeche, in September 2024, Tony saw his appeal against his 18-month prison sentence and five-year ban on carrying weapons rejected by the Court of Cassation – France’s highest administrative court.
The three security guards were also convicted; one received a six-month suspended sentence, and the other two received eight-month suspended sentences.
Topics: France, Football, Ligue 1, Alan Shearer
Luke Davies