Giroud at 40: Revisiting the Adultery Scandal From His Arsenal Years

Olivier Giroud blew out his 40 candles on Wednesday, giving the LOSC striker a chance to take stock of his physical setbacks and his renewed ambition after several months in the shadow of Ayase Ueda. But the birthday also brought back into focus one of the most turbulent periods of his personal life.

Ten years ago, while wearing the Arsenal shirt, Giroud was caught up in a major scandal. The Sun revealed that he had allegedly had an affair with American model Celia Kay the night before a match against Crystal Palace. A week later, the tabloid published photos taken by the young woman, in which the striker appeared in underwear.

Forced to respond just hours before a FA Cup clash against Liverpool, Giroud published a message of contrition: “I apologize to my wife, my family, my coach, my teammates and Arsenal supporters. I must now fight for my family and for my club to earn their forgiveness. Nothing else matters now.”

Yet, just days later, he backtracked. “Yes, I made a mistake, but no, I did not commit adultery! Let’s be clear about that…”, he said. His wife Jennifer defended him vigorously, attacking readers and journalists who, according to her, had misinterpreted the British tabloid’s articles.

Celia Kay eventually gave her own account in an interview with magazine Entrevue: “Olivier told me about his life, he also told me what he would do for me, he made me promises and we kissed. It was cool but no sex.”

Ten years after this media storm, the Giroud couple is described as more united than ever. Three children — Evan, Aaron and Aria — have joined Jade, born in June 2013, in a family that weathered the ordeal without breaking.