Ghanaian-Born Dutch Star Issues Strong Statement After Being Handed Jail Term

• Memphis Depay has been found guilty of drunk driving after being stopped by Monaco police in August 2024
• A court in Monaco has handed him a four-month suspended prison sentence along with a £7,500 fine and a two-year driving ban
• The Dutch forward has since issued an apology on social media, admitting his mistake and vowing to learn from it

Former Manchester United and Barcelona forward Memphis Depay has responded after receiving a four-month suspended jail sentence and a £7,500 fine for drink driving in Monaco.

The Dutch star was stopped by police last August while driving his Rolls-Royce in the streets of Monaco and tested positive for alcohol above the legal limit.

A court in the French Riviera city delivered the sentence earlier this week, along with a two-year driving ban in Monaco.

Depay, who was not present at the hearing, has now publicly addressed the situation.

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Depay issues statement after being handed jail term

Taking to social media, the 29-year-old issued an apology, admitting his mistake via Goal:

"I would like to come on here and apologise. Last summer during my holidays in Monaco, I made a mistake and decided to drive home after having some drinks in a restaurant. I should’ve got into a taxi instead, but I didn’t. So I would like to apologise and take full responsibility for my actions. 2024 was a year of lessons, and I will definitely learn from this one. 2025 we will do better."

Depay, who recently left European football to join Brazilian side Corinthians as a free agent, has two weeks to appeal the court’s decision.

However, reports suggest he is unlikely to do so. The former Atletico Madrid player’s driving ban in Monaco will remain in place for the next two years.

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Details of the court ruling against Depay

Depay's incident occurred around 5:38 a.m. on August 6, 2024, when Depay was stopped by police in his Rolls-Royce after leaving two nightclubs.

Despite prosecutors recommending a one-month suspended sentence, a €2,000 fine, and a six-month driving ban, the court imposed a harsher penalty - a four-month suspended prison term, a €7,500 fine, and a two-year driving ban in Monaco.

Corinthians and Netherlands keep mum on the incident

At the time of the incident, Depay had joined Brazilian club Corinthians after terminating his contract with Atlético Madrid.

Since joining Corinthians in September 2024, Depay has made a significant impact on the club. In his debut season, he played 35 matches across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 9 assists.

He played a pivotal role in Corinthians' triumph in the 2025 Campeonato Paulista as they beat Palmeiras to lift the title. However, there was no official statement from Corinthians regarding the incident.

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Similarly, Depay's country team, the Netherlands national team, did not publicly address the matter.

On the international scene, Depay has been a cornerstone for the Netherlands national team. The 31-year-old has earned 100 caps and scored 47 goals, making him the second-highest scorer in Dutch history, trailing only Robin van Persie.

He remains a key player for the national team, with 47 goals in 100 appearances.

Depay vows to aid Kotoko

Meanwhile, Memphis Depay has expressed his intention to assist Ghana Premier League side Kumasi Asante Kotoko in upgrading the pitch at their training facility.

The Corinthians forward hinted at his plans during a visit to the Porcupine Warriors while on holiday in Ghana.

The Dutch star acknowledged the challenges posed by the current state of the pitch and hinted at efforts to improve it, demonstrating his commitment to supporting grassroots football in Ghana.

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“You guys train on these types of pitches; I respect that, it’s not easy. The ball bounces too much, so it takes more time to control,” Depay remarked.

Depay plays street football in Ghana

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Dutch forward Memphis Depay joined young footballers in Nima for a street soccer game.

The former Manchester United winger is in Ghana for the holidays after a long campaign with Corinthians in Brazil.

Depay scored in the backyard game as he thrilled fans in Nima.

Nomso Obiajuru was a contributing writer in this article

Source: AFP