Ex Bayern Munich defender Boateng faces up to five years in prison for domestic violence

Lyon centre-back Jerome Boateng will appear in court in Munich on Thursday, September 9, to answer questions relating to domestic violence claims against the mother of his two children, which date back to 2018.

The trial has been delayed as a result of a witness testing positive for COVID-19, and Boateng's lawyer has confirmed that he will appear in court today, September 9.

Boateng's ex-partner, named as Sherin S, accuses him of assaulting her during a violent argument three years ago when they were on holiday. If Boateng is found guilty, the maximum punishment could be five years' imprisonment. A verdict could be issued as early as Thursday.

One of the other issues from the trial could also be the custody of their two wins, which is the subject of a separate proceeding.

Boateng, meanwhile, has always defended himself against his ex-partner's allegations, calling the issue "a private matter based on unproven allegations by third parties."

Symbol of integration

Boateng joined Bayern Munich in 2011 and became a European champion with the club, starting in the 2013 Champions League final, while he also was a part of the Germany squad that won the 2014 World Cup.

In the years that followed, Boateng, the son of a German and a Ghanaian, became a symbol of integration.

In 2016 he was welcomed by German chancellor Angela Merkel after being targeted by the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Alexander Gauland.

In the same year, Boateng was voted Germany's footballer of the year.

In the following years, however, Boateng saw himself fall out of favour in the German national team and he lost his place in the starting line-up at Bayern.

Bayern allowed Boateng's contract to expire in the summer, and his move to Lyon was announced on September 1.