Dimitri payet elderly 39, hung up the boots just two months ago by posting a farewell addressed to Vasco da Gama fans after his contract was cancelled. The Frenchman, who was a member of the national team and played with teams such as West Ham, Marseille, Nantes and St Etienne, is now facing trial in Brazil due to abuse allegations made by his ex-partner Larissa Ferrari.
The player, who was in his final days as a professional, retired after playing 75 games for Vasco. It brought to an end a powerful season, marked by highlights such as last-day Serie A salvation in 2024, but also by injuries that brought an abrupt end.
Unsettled ending, mostly due to the episode quoted at the beginning and whose the legal process is now startingas reported by L’Equipe. The former French international, who is already back with his family in Marseilles area, could face criminal charges. Since April 2025, he has been accused of “physical, psychological and sexual abuse” by Larissa Ferrari, a lawyer with whom he had a relationship between August 2024 and March 2025.
The complainant explained to investigators that she suffered from a “personality disorder characterized by allergies” and claimed that the soccer player took advantage of it to “emotionally blackmail her and receive violent and humiliating sexual favors,” according to police. A 17-page document written by herself.
Some dark elements
She also claims that the relationship turned dark due to jealousy and that she suffered a miscarriage in February 2025. “Because of his behavior, I felt emotionally abused. During sex, he started punishing me, hitting me, stomping my face, my body,” she says. “I had no choice, no dignity. Just a brutal and disgusting spell by a man who believed he had a divine right to possess me, abuse me and dump me,” she said.
“I had no choice, no dignity. Just a brutal and disgusting imposition by a man who believed he had a divine right to own me, abuse me and dump me. Although the case was initially closed, the prosecution reopened it due to possible moral damages, citing “hurtful and degrading attitudes and comments, as well as humiliation and abuse”. Payet was consulted on 16 April 2025 by a police unit specializing in violence against women in Jacarepagua. He admitted the extramarital relationship but denied any aggression.”
It is also explained that their relationship took a macabre turn after a jealousy attack from the Vasco da Gama player and even revealed that she was miscarriage in February 2025, at the height of the crisis. “Because of his behavior I felt emotionally violated. During sex he started punishing me, hitting me, stomping on my face, my body” she says
In his statement, he explained that they met on Instagram, defended the relationship as consensual and claimed the “unconventional” sexual practices came from Ferrari. He also denied physically assaulting her and said he was unaware of her psychological problems. According to his version, she wanted to move to France, and when he refused, she threatened to reveal surprising information to the public.
On On December 4, the prosecutor reopened the case for psychological abuse, though he declined to expand it to other crimes, a decision upheld by a judge in January. However, Ferrari’s defense speaks volumes “physical harm” and “sexual violence,” relying on documents, pictures and conversations. “I hope he is charged with the other two crimes (sexual and physical). The greatest psychological damage I suffered is sexual violence,” she said.
The former player denies everything
Payet vehemently denies the allegations. Meanwhile, Ferrari puts his version of events in a text entitled “From fan to refugee, the beginning of everything”, where she claims to be “financially stable” and not seeking “either fame or fame”“: “I was looking for something infinitely more dangerous: love”.
According to her account, as of December 2024 “perverse, degrading and violent” episodes began, admitted that she “gave in to love when he humiliated her for his pleasure”. “He was no longer the man who once sheltered and protected me; he was like a monster, a predator. I had become his sex slave” she writes in this document, which her lawyers describe as written in “night agony”.
He was no longer the man who once embraced me and protected me; he was like a monster, a predator. I had become his sex slave
The process is ongoing. On March 3, the former player’s defense received a summons to respond in writing and On March 26, he filed a 64-page document questioning the “lack of legal reliability of the alleged victim’s statements” and highlighting the “lack of forensic examination” to support the alleged damages..
Relying on private conversations, the defense claims that there was “clear consent Larissa and the absence of moral damage,” asserting that this was “unconventional and consensual practice,” and asking for “accusation of the accused.”
The The judge is now reviewing the case and will decide whether the charge will be dismissed or upheld. which could lead to pretreatment. Meanwhile, the complainant claims the relationship was “abusive and toxic” and claims she is still suffering the consequences: “Every day I endure shame and humiliation. No one likes to be messaged online or on the street”.
“I hope Dimitri is convicted,” she concludes. “I want this to be an example for all those who remain silent about violence.”