Dimitri Payet faces legal proceedings following abuse allegations

Former French professional footballer Dimitri Payet, 39, is facing legal action in Brazil following serious allegations of domestic violence. The claims were filed in April 2025 by his former partner, Brazilian lawyer Larissa Ferrari, who alleges physical, psychological, and sexual abuse. According to a 17-page document filed by Ferrari, the relationship between the two occurred from August 2024 to March 2025. Ferrari claims that Payet exploited her hypersensitive personality disorder to coerce her into degrading sexual acts. Payet, who recently retired from football after his contract with Vasco da Gama expired, has since returned to France to live near Marseille. The former Nantes, Saint-Etienne, Marseille, and West Ham player finished his professional career two months ago following a 75-match stint with the Brazilian club. Reports indicate that criminal charges are pending against the athlete as the legal proceedings move forward. Payet has not publicly addressed the specific claims regarding the nature of the allegations.