Former Nigerian youth international and FC Copenhagen forward, Akinkunmi Amoo, has been handed a one-year prison sentence by a Danish court following a conviction for sexual assault.
The verdict was announced on Friday, June 23, 2023, and it has been reported that Amoo intends to appeal the decision.
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Renowned former BBC World Football reporter, Osasu Obayiuwana, took to Twitter to share the news of Amoo’s sentencing. He also shared a statement from the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet, which detailed the outcome of the trial.
According to the report, the trial had been ongoing for most of June and involved charges of rape in a sexual relationship other than intercourse, attempted rape, and violations against two additional women.
Amoo was found guilty of all three charges by a dissenting magistrate at the Copenhagen District Court. The 21-year-old player reportedly appeared shaken as he received his sentence in court.
The verdict resulted in an unconditional one-year prison term. As both the defense and the convicted player filed an appeal immediately, the court extended the name ban associated with the case.
Ekstra Bladet protested against the continuation of the name ban, but the court did not grant their request. The date for the appeal hearing is yet to be determined.
The legal issues surrounding Amoo began in April 2022 when Danish authorities initially pressed charges against him.
Subsequently, in July and August of the same year, further charges were brought forward. On September 10, 2022, the young footballer was arrested, but he was later released on bail on October 7.
Amoo, who had gained recognition as a promising talent during his time with the Nigerian U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, played a pivotal role in their fourth-place finish at the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
He also featured in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where the Eaglets were eliminated in the round of 16.
The news of Amoo’s conviction and subsequent prison sentence has sent shockwaves through the football community.
As the legal process unfolds with the appeal, many will be closely following the case’s developments, waiting to see how it impacts Amoo’s future in the sport.
