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Donnarumma: Two Jailed Over Violent Paris Burglary of Man City Goalkeeper, Wife

Published

3 weeks ago

September 12, 2026

Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma

Donnarumma: Two Jailed Over Violent Paris Burglary of Man City Goalkeeper, Wife

Two men have been jailed over the violent burglary of Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and his wife, Alessia Elefante, at their Paris home in July 2023, while a third defendant was acquitted.

Ilyas Kherbouch, 21, whom prosecutors described as the main organiser of the operation, was sentenced by a Paris criminal court to nine years in prison and fined €80,000.

Moktar Diop, 24, who admitted taking part in the operation, was sentenced to five years in prison, with two years suspended and subject to probation.

A third defendant, Khyan Mamouni, 22, who was accused of helping coordinate the robbery from his prison cell, was acquitted. The verdict was delivered late Friday after a two-day trial. (L’Équipe)

The case centred on the home invasion targeting Donnarumma and Elefante in the early hours of July 21, 2023, when the Italian goalkeeper was still playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Donnarumma subsequently moved to Manchester City, where he now plays as the club’s goalkeeper. (AFP)

The couple were asleep in their luxury ninth-floor apartment on Avenue Montaigne in central Paris when a group of masked men entered the property through the rooftops.

According to evidence presented during the trial, four attackers entered the apartment and pulled the couple from their bed before restraining them.

Donnarumma was beaten in the face with hard gloves until he bled, while the attackers demanded money, watches and other valuables.

Elefante, who was pregnant at the time, was also subjected to serious violence and was choked with a phone charging cable before the couple were separated and tied up.

The wider group involved in the operation was reported to have comprised seven people, some of whom have not been identified.

The robbers escaped within minutes with cash, jewellery, luxury watches and designer bags. Donnarumma estimated the value of the stolen property at just under €1 million. (AFP)

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Elefante lost her pregnancy a few days after the attack. Prosecutors referred to the loss during the trial and attributed it to the shock suffered during the burglary. (AFP)

Donnarumma and Elefante, who have since married, did not attend the trial.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison sentence for Kherbouch, nine years for Mamouni and six years for Diop, arguing that the robbery was a highly lucrative and extremely violent operation.

Kherbouch, known as “Ganito,” was accused of organising the burglary while he was in prison.

His name had also featured in several other cases involving alleged kidnappings and violent robberies. He attracted further attention in March 2026 after escaping from Villepinte prison in the Paris region before being recaptured. (AFP)

Kherbouch denied organising the Donnarumma robbery despite evidence from messages and videos recovered from phones used while he was in custody.

Mamouni, who was also accused of coordinating the operation from prison, similarly denied the allegations. His lawyer welcomed his acquittal, saying the court had considered the evidence and uncertainties surrounding the case before reaching its decision. (AFP)

Diop was the only one of the three defendants who was present at the scene of the burglary.

He admitted being involved but maintained that he acted only as a lookout, positioned on the roof of a building opposite Donnarumma’s apartment.

Prosecutors, however, argued that he was part of the criminal operation that targeted the couple.

The trial was marked by dramatic scenes on its first day after Kherbouch repeatedly insulted and threatened police officers in the courtroom following a dispute involving members of his family.

The proceedings were temporarily disrupted as police officers entered the courtroom and some of Kherbouch’s relatives were removed.

Kherbouch later apologised to the officers and the court, allowing the second day of proceedings to continue in a calmer atmosphere. (L’Équipe)

The case also involved another alleged participant who was a childhood friend of Diop.

That man, who was accused of being involved in the operation and later described as an informant, died by suicide in prison in May 2024 after reportedly facing threats linked to the case. (AFP)

The prosecution presented the Donnarumma burglary as part of a wider pattern of home invasions targeting wealthy residents and celebrities in Paris, particularly in affluent areas such as Avenue Montaigne.

Prosecutors said several celebrities had been targeted in similar attacks between 2022 and 2025, describing the criminal activity as increasingly youthful and focused on lucrative targets. (AFP)

The Donnarumma case has attracted significant attention because of the level of violence used against the couple, the value of the stolen property and the alleged involvement of organisers operating from prison.

With Kherbouch sentenced to nine years and Diop to five years, the latest judgment has resulted in two convictions in the main trial, while Mamouni was cleared of the allegations against him.

The verdict brings the principal court proceedings over the 2023 Donnarumma home invasion to a close, although other alleged participants in the wider operation have been dealt with separately or remain unidentified.

Donnarumma: Two Jailed Over Violent Paris Burglary of Man City Goalkeeper, Wife

Related Topics:Donnarumma goalkeeper Man City Paris Burglary

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Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2 in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday, producing a strong performance despite the absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The result extended Portugal’s perfect start under head coach Jorge Jesus, who has now overseen three victories from three matches since taking charge of the national team.

Playing in Copenhagen, Portugal took the lead in the 13th minute when João Cancelo finished from close range after Denmark struggled to clear the ball.

The hosts responded when Mikkel Damsgaard produced a composed finish to level the score.

Portugal regained the advantage shortly afterwards through Gonçalo Ramos, who found the net at the near post to make it 2-1.

Denmark refused to surrender and drew level again early in the second half through Rasmus Højlund.

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Portugal then regained control of the contest, with Vitinha heading home in the 57th minute to restore the visitors’ lead.

João Félix completed the scoring three minutes from full time, finishing a counter-attack to secure the 4-2 victory.

The match was played against the backdrop of Ronaldo’s absence after the veteran forward left Portugal’s training camp before the game.

Ronaldo’s departure followed a decision by Jesus not to start him against Denmark. The 41-year-old subsequently said in a social media post that he would explain the circumstances surrounding his exit at a later time.

With Ronaldo unavailable, Jesus handed Ramos the responsibility of leading the attack, and the Paris Saint-Germain forward responded with Portugal’s second goal.

The victory moved Portugal to nine points from three matches in the competition and maintained their winning run under Jesus.

Denmark, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another match in which they twice came from behind but were unable to prevent Portugal from taking all three points.

Portugal will continue their Nations League campaign against Norway, while attention is expected to remain on Ronaldo and his future involvement with the national team.

Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Sports

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Published

5 days ago

October 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal national team camp ahead of the country’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark, following reports of tension over his role in the team.

Ronaldo’s departure came after Portugal coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the 41-year-old forward would not start against Denmark.

The situation reportedly followed Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, when Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout the match despite warming up during the game.

According to reports, Ronaldo was unhappy after he was not introduced and went straight to the dressing room at the final whistle rather than joining his teammates in acknowledging the Portuguese supporters.

Jesus later addressed the issue and acknowledged that Ronaldo was unhappy with the decision, but denied that there had been a major confrontation between the two.

The Portugal coach also dismissed reports that Ronaldo had refused to train, explaining that the forward had instead completed individual mobility and strengthening exercises.

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The situation intensified after Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo would again not be in the starting lineup for the Denmark vs Portugal fixture, with Gonçalo Ramos expected to lead the attack.

Jesus said Ronaldo could still be introduced as a substitute depending on how the match developed.

Ronaldo subsequently held a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença before leaving the national team camp in Copenhagen.

The Portugal captain later posted a statement on social media confirming his departure and indicating that he would explain the circumstances behind the decision at a later time.

He did not directly accuse Jesus or the Portuguese federation of wrongdoing in the statement.

The episode has nevertheless generated renewed questions about Ronaldo’s role in the Portugal national team, particularly as he approaches the later stages of his international career.

Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and one of the country’s most decorated players. He has also previously indicated that his playing career is approaching its final stage.

For now, the confirmed sequence is that Ronaldo was left unused against Norway, Jesus subsequently announced that he would not start against Denmark, Ronaldo met with the federation president and then left the training camp.

Portugal’s immediate focus remains its Nations League campaign, while further details about Ronaldo’s decision are expected to emerge if the player follows through on his promise to explain the circumstances.

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Sports

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2026

Trends Admin

Super Eagles after their defeat to Guinea Bissau

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a stunning 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday night, as their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign suffered a major setback in Bissau.

The hosts produced a dominant display at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro, scoring once in the first half and twice after the break to move to the top of Group L with six points from two matches.

Franculino Djú put Guinea-Bissau ahead in the 15th minute after receiving a long pass from Renato Nhaga. He worked his way into the Nigerian penalty area before curling a left-footed effort beyond goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The Super Eagles struggled to find their rhythm after conceding and failed to create enough clear chances to trouble the hosts before the interval.

Coach Eric Chelle responded at the start of the second half by introducing Moses Simon and Moses Usor for Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka.

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The changes did little to alter the pattern of the match, with Guinea-Bissau continuing to pose the greater attacking threat.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 66th minute through Mama Baldé, who collected a pass from Mamadi Camará before cutting into the Nigerian box and firing a low shot past Nwabali.

Chelle subsequently brought on George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika for Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi, while Tolu Arokodare replaced Ademola Lookman.

Ilenikhena came close to reducing the deficit late in the game, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Embadjé made another important save to preserve his side’s two-goal advantage.

Nigeria’s miserable night was completed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Álvaro Djaló finished a through ball from Tamble Monteiro to make it 3-0.

The result leaves Nigeria with three points from two matches, following their opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar.

Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, have six points after beating Tanzania 2-0 in their opening fixture before defeating Nigeria.

Madagascar and Tanzania drew 1-1 in the other Group L match.

With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament co-hosts, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the qualifying position available to the highest-ranked non-host nation in the group.

The Super Eagles will have an opportunity to respond when they face Tanzania in a double-header during the November international window.

For Chelle and his players, however, the 3-0 defeat in Bissau leaves little room for another disappointing performance as the AFCON 2027 qualifying race continues.