Ligue 1 referee Kherradji sentenced to six months suspended for domestic violence

The Nîmes criminal court condemned Abdelatif Kherradji, a 40-year-old Ligue 1 referee, to six months in prison with a suspended sentence for domestic violence on Wednesday morning. The sentence, below the 18 months with a suspended sentence requested by the prosecutor, will not be recorded on his criminal record.

The alleged acts were committed against his ex-partner on two occasions: March 13 in Caveirac, then May 13 in Nîmes. During the trial held on August 7, 2026, the victim described specific acts. “He grabbed me by the neck, he insulted me, he dragged me by the hair for several metres, he threw me to the ground. There is a disconnect between the smiling and jovial public man and the private man, violent and manipulative. I was under his control,” she stated, according to reports by Ici Occitanie.

Kherradji contested the allegations before the court, invoking self-defence. “The actions I took were to avoid being hit, because my ex-partner was very aggressive towards me. It’s a profound injustice, I feel like I’m in a nightmare. Since this matter came to light, I’ve been living through real hell. She wants to ruin my career,” he stated. His lawyer, Bruno Rebstock, indicated that he “reserves the right to appeal within 10 days”.

Beyond the suspended prison sentence, the referee must attend a prevention course on domestic violence.

The French Football Federation (FFF) has not yet commented on this conviction. Kherradji, who was on sick leave until Tuesday, was not scheduled for the first day of the championship anyway.