Brentford FC striker Yoane Wissa is scheduled to testify this week in a French court regarding a harrowing acid attack that nearly cost him his eyesight and involved an alleged attempt to kidnap his newborn daughter. The trial, taking place in Vannes, near Lorient in northwestern France, centers on a 36-year-old woman identified only as Laetitia P., who faces charges of attempted murder, child kidnapping, and attempted kidnapping. If convicted, she could face up to 30 years in prison.
The incident occurred on July 1, 2021, just weeks before Wissa’s £8.5 million transfer from French club Lorient to Brentford. According to court proceedings, the accused approached Wissa at his home under the pretense of seeking an autograph. She later returned that night, allegedly throwing a corrosive liquid in his face and attempting to abduct his infant daughter. The attack left Wissa with severe facial burns and necessitated emergency eye surgery. Doctors have noted that he was fortunate to retain his sight.
Wissa, now 28, is expected to attend the courtroom for two days of the four-day trial, which began earlier this year. His testimony is anticipated to shed light on the traumatic event that has left lasting physical and emotional scars. The following day, July 2, 2021, the same woman allegedly attacked another individual in Vannes and successfully kidnapped a baby, though the child was later found unharmed. These subsequent actions have intensified the gravity of the charges against her.
Brentford striker Yoane Wissa will attend court in France this week for the trial of a woman who allegedly attacked him with acid and attempted to kidnap his child.
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Speaking ahead of the trial, Wissa’s lawyer, Karim Morand-Lahouazi, told French outlet RMC Sport that the Brentford forward is seeking “clearer explanations” about the incident. “Yoane is still suffering the after-effects of this attempted kidnap and attack,” Morand-Lahouazi said. “He has done everything since then to show that he is fine and is trying to perform to the best of his ability in his everyday job. Thankfully, he did not lose his eyesight, and it was only thanks to his quick reaction that his daughter was not taken away.”
Despite the ordeal, Wissa has thrived on the pitch since joining Brentford. This season, he has scored an impressive 11 goals in 19 Premier League appearances, establishing himself as the club’s all-time leading scorer in the competition. His resilience has not gone unnoticed, with Nottingham Forest reportedly submitting a £22 million bid for the DR Congo international earlier this year, which Brentford rejected. Arsenal has also been linked with the in-form striker.
The trial has drawn significant attention, not only due to Wissa’s prominence in the football world but also because of the chilling nature of the allegations. The accused, Laetitia P., has a reported history of mental health issues, claiming during the trial that she had been hearing “inner voices” since her teenage years. While she initially denied the allegations, she later admitted to some of her actions, according to reports from the courtroom.
For Wissa and his family, the trial represents a chance to find closure after a deeply traumatic event. Morand-Lahouazi emphasized that Wissa and his wife now feel secure in England, where they have been able to rebuild their lives. “They feel they are safe from danger,” he said, though he acknowledged the lasting impact of the attack. “He needed significant time to recover. Things were not easy for him at the start of this matter.”