What started as a seemingly quiet post-football chapter in Brazil for former Premier League star Dimitri Payet has quickly spiraled into public controversy, emotional allegations, and an upcoming courtroom battle.
The 38-year-old ex-West Ham United playmaker is now set to face trial in Brazil after being accused of psychologically abusing his former mistress, Larissa Natalya Ferrari.
The case, filled with unsettling claims and complex emotional dynamics, has captured media attention both in Brazil and abroad.
From Dismissed Charges to a Court Date
Initially, the accusations against Payet were dismissed by prosecutors in Rio de Janeiro.
But following an appeal in June, the situation changed.
According to the Brazilian outlet Globo, the Rio de Janeiro Court officially accepted the Public Prosecutor’s complaint just last Friday, clearing the way for Payet to be formally tried.
Payet’s defense, led by lawyer Sheila Lustoza, acknowledged the court’s decision while standing firm on their belief in his innocence.
“We don’t agree with the decision,” she reportedly said, “but we respect the process and are prepared to present our side.”
She emphasized that now the defense has the opportunity to challenge the allegations with all the available evidence, and expressed confidence that the contradictions in the claims would eventually unravel in court.
Ferrari’s Team Applauds the Legal Progress
On the other side, Larissa Ferrari’s legal team welcomed the court’s acceptance of the case.
They released a statement expressing faith in the Brazilian judicial system and commending the authorities for treating the matter seriously—regardless of Payet’s fame.
They described this development as “a significant step in the search for truth” and underscored their commitment to defending Larissa’s dignity, pointing out that the legal system must protect victims of abuse irrespective of their alleged abuser’s social status.
Allegations That Shocked the Public
Larissa Ferrari, a lawyer and mother of two, came forward earlier this year with deeply disturbing allegations.
She claimed she endured degrading acts during a seven-month affair with the French footballer, including being forced to drink her own urine and lick the floor.
Ferrari stated that she participated in these acts because of her emotional vulnerability, which she says Payet exploited.
According to Brazilian news outlet G1, she suffers from borderline personality disorder—something she says Payet knew about and used to manipulate her.
“He used my psychological issues against me,” she reportedly told G1, describing a relationship defined by humiliation and mental manipulation.
Payet’s Side of the Story
Payet did not deny the relationship.
During questioning at the Women’s Assistance Police Station, he confirmed their involvement but insisted that all interactions were consensual and often initiated by Ferrari herself.
He reportedly acknowledged some of the acts mentioned—like using wooden chairs during intimacy and Ferrari requesting slaps—but attributed the visible marks on her light skin to consensual activity.
He claimed that Ferrari’s behavior changed after he refused to continue the relationship in France, despite her request that he cover her expenses.
According to Payet, she threatened to expose personal details if he didn’t respond to a birthday message within four hours.
Public Outcry and Ferrari’s Emotional Plea
Ferrari didn’t keep silent.
In an interview with AFP, she made an impassioned plea for justice, saying she had been “humiliated” and emotionally manipulated under the guise of love.
She shared that she recorded videos as “proof of love”—videos that included her drinking toilet water, licking the floor, and drinking her own urine.
“I’m a lawyer,” she said.
“I would never make such serious claims lightly.”
Leaked Documents and Defense Pushback
As more documents related to the case were leaked to the press, Payet’s lawyer spoke out about the breach of confidentiality.
Lustoza criticized the leaks but maintained that they reveal “a woman exercising her freedom and will.”
She insisted the documents will show the truth and paint a very different picture from what’s been shared publicly.
The defense team remains optimistic that once the court reviews the full scope of evidence, the narrative will shift in Payet’s favor.
From Football Fame to Courtroom Drama
Dimitri Payet has long been celebrated for his dazzling performances on the football pitch.
During his time at West Ham, he was hailed as one of the club’s most gifted players in recent memory.
His abrupt departure in 2017 to rejoin Marseille raised eyebrows, and after several more seasons in France, he moved to Brazil in 2023 for what many assumed would be the final stretch of his career.
Now, just ten days after his contract with Vasco da Gama was terminated, he finds himself preparing not for another match, but for a court trial that could shape the next chapter of his life.
Larissa’s Final Statement on the Affair
In March, Larissa offered her own written account of the affair.
She emphasized that her actions were never financially motivated.
“There’s not much I can say, and no explanation can justify what happened,” she wrote.
“But I want to make it extremely clear—it was never about money. Not before, not now.”
She also made it clear that she only got involved with Payet after her divorce, and described the experience as psychologically damaging.
What Comes Next?
As the trial approaches, both parties are preparing to present their sides.
With disturbing allegations, emotional confessions, and legal intricacies, the case is set to attract even more public scrutiny.
Whether Payet will be convicted or cleared remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this is a personal and legal battle that goes far beyond sports.
The courtroom will now take center stage, as Brazil—and the football world—watches what happens next.