QPR Midfielder Ilias Chair Faces Potential Prison Sentence in Belgian Assault Case

Ilias Chair finds himself facing Belgian justice. He is accused of having struck a truck driver on the head with a stone. The events took place in Bazeilles, in northern France, in the summer of 2020. The Moroccan international and two of his friends Nora H. and Jaber C. got into an argument with Niels T, a truck driver, reports The Sun. The latter was waiting with his family for a bus to return to Belgium after a kayaking trip. "According to many people involved, Ilias Chair hit Niels T with a stone and knocked him out. The consequences were dramatic for Niels T. He suffered a serious two-centimeter skull fracture and was taken to the hospital in Reims in critical condition," says the Antwerp prosecutor. He will add: "He then had to recover for a long period in a Belgian hospital and was unable to work as a truck driver for a long time. The blow almost cost him his life, and he still feels the aftereffects."

Defending the player, lawyer Alen Cilic declared in court that there was not enough evidence that Ilias had caused the truck driver’s injuries. According to him, Niels T and his family had provoked the fight in order to make money. "It’s absurd. We want 16,000 euros in damages, which is only about a week’s salary for Mr. Chair. [...] My client almost lost his life and it took surgeons to save him," retorts the victim’s lawyer. And to add: "He was unable to work for a long period and still suffers every day from negative reactions after being struck with a stone."

Taking into account the testimonies of people involved in the brawl, the Antwerp prosecutor has requested two years in prison against the 26-year-old player and a fine of 1,600 euros, as well as lighter sentences for his friends Nora H. and Jaber C.