The Oud-Heverlee Leuven midfielder Sofiane Kiyine has been found guilty of motoring offences by the Police Court in the Walloon city of Liège. However, the 26-year-old has not been sentenced and the conviction will not appear on the footballer’s criminal record.
Sofiane Kiyine was in court to answer for an incident almost a year ago when he lost control of his car at a roundabout in Flémelle in Liège Province. He was driving at such speed that his vehicle flew through the air and crashed through the wall of a sport hall. Miraculously no on in the sport hall was injured. A group of girls that had been attending a basketball practice had just left for the changing rooms when Sofiane Kiyine’s car crashed through the wall.
The footballer was injured, and he was taken to hospital but was discharge a few days later.
An investigation revealed that Sofiane Kiyine, who was around 3 times over the limit for alcohol, had been driving up to 150km at the time the accident occurred. When questioned he said that he didn’t remember anything about the accident.
In court the footballer expressed regret: "I am here, I am going to take responsibility, I have to live with it."
Since the accident he had had an alcohol lock installed in his car and says that he has done voluntary work with people that are living with disabilities. He has also taken safe driving classes organised by the road safety institute VIAS.
Despite finding Sofiane Kiyine guilty the judge has now ruled that he will not be sentenced.