Former France international footballer sent to prison over shooting

Paris, May 16, (dpa/GNA) – Former France striker, Tony Vairelles, has been sentenced to five years in prison, two of them suspended, for shooting bouncers at a discotheque in 2011.

The Nancy court on Monday also sentenced three of Vairelles’ brothers to between three to five years in prison, two of which were suspended.

An application to discontinue the proceedings due to excessive length of time was rejected.

The four brothers were found guilty of attacking the security staff of a discotheque near Nancy with guns in October 2011, after they had been thrown out. According to the bouncers, the Vairelles brothers had been drinking alcohol on the dance floor, which was prohibited.

Three of the bouncers were injured in the incident, though there was no danger to life.

The brothers always denied firing any shots.

Vairelles, 49, began his career with his local team Nancy and went on to win the French league with Lens in 1998 and Olympique Lyon in 2003. He won eight France caps between 1998 and 2000.
GNA