Sassuolo striker Nicolas Schiappacasse has reportedly been handed a 14-month prison sentence after admitting weapons trafficking and possession charges.
Former Uruguay youth international Schiappacasse was arrested in his homeland in January after being caught with a 9mm pistol in his car, according to The Sun.
Reports at the time claimed he had told investigators he was taking the weapon to a fan of Uruguayan club Penarol ahead of a derby match against rivals Nacional.
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Schiappacasse was on loan at Penarol from Serie A side Sassuolo at the time of his arrest.
According to the report, Schiappacasse was arrested after a gun was discovered in a coat on his lap during a routine traffic stop.
Police later released photographs of the player being handcuffed, as well as image of the seized weapon.
After admitting his guilt, Schiappacasse struck a deal with state prosecutors to allow him to serve six months of his sentence at the home of his parents.
Once he is released on parole, Schiappacasse must also do four hours of community service a week and has been ordered to sign on regularly at a local police station.
He had already spent two months and 12 days in jail on remand near the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo before Thursday's court hearing, which will now be deducted from his sentence.
Schiappacasse still has one year remaining on his current deal with Sassuolo, who he joined in October 2020.
The former Atletico Madrid youth player has reportedly been given permission to train and play with third division Uruguayan side El Tanque Sisley once he is released from prison.
However, he must stay indoors at all other times until he completes his six-month house arrest.
Speaking after the sentencing, Schiappacasse’s lawyer Karen Pintos said: “At the beginning he was very depressed but afterwards he started adapting to prison life.
“He is very repentant and showed it at all times during the hearing. He’s a young lad who deserves another opportunity.”
Rory O'Callaghan