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Former Ivory Coast international footballer Aboulaye Traore has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of rape, according to an Ivorian women’s rights organisation.
Traore, widely known by his nickname “Ben Badi,” was part of the Ivory Coast squad that won the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and remains a popular figure in the country.
In a statement, the Ivorian League for Women’s Rights said the Bouaké court delivered the ruling on Wednesday, describing it as a major step forward in efforts to end impunity for sexual and gender-based violence.
The group also said the court ordered compensation of 15 million CFA francs (about $26,700) to be paid to the victim and imposed a five-year restriction barring Traore from entering the central region.
A judicial source said the former footballer was convicted over allegations that he engaged in non-consensual sexual activity in March 2021 with a 21-year-old woman.
Before retiring, Traore was a prominent figure at the Abidjan club ASEC Mimosas and also played in Europe, including spells with FC Metz in France and Braga in Portugal.
