Christoph Metzelder
The verdict against the former footballer is final
Christoph Metzelder on April 29th in Düsseldorf.
© imago images / Michael Gstettenbauer
The verdict against ex-soccer player Christoph Metzelder for possession and disclosure of child pornography is final.
At the end of April, the former soccer player Christoph Metzelder (40) was sentenced to a total imprisonment of ten months with probation by the Düsseldorf District Court for passing on child and youth pornography. The judgment is now final, as the local court announced on May 3rd.
According to the court, at the main hearing it was clarified that Metzelder sent 29 image and video files with corresponding content to three women in 2019. At the end of 2019, he also owned 18 files with child pornographic content on his mobile phone. Metzelder did not return the phone.
He is in therapy
The public prosecutor’s office in Düsseldorf had withdrawn an appeal that had been initially filed and both parties had waived their right to appeal. Several factors would have mitigated the penalty. Metzelder had no criminal record, had confessed, had shown remorse and was taking therapeutic help.
In addition, the case was picked up early in the media and Metzelder had “received an anticipated punishment”. In the foreseeable future he will neither be able to take up his professional activity nor take part in public life. The court waived an additional monetary requirement.
“I accept the punishment and ask the victims of sexual violence for forgiveness. I will have to live with this guilt as part of society for the rest of my life,” the former footballer said in court.