Royston Drenthe has been acquitted of money laundering by the court of Breda. The 33-year-old left-back, who is currently active for Racing Murcia, was suspected of laundering an amount of 176,500 euros. The court in Breda has ruled that there is insufficient evidence for this. Drenthe is claiming the amount back.
Two years ago, the police found a huge amount of money in a hidden space of a car in Halsteren. Drenthe was considered responsible for this, but the footballer stated that he had lent the money to someone else through a cousin. The amount may have ended up with a criminal organization, without Drenthe knowing about it. The former Feyenoord player fears the consequences if he provides information about the person to whom he has lent the money.
Drenthe says that the money, which was confiscated by the judiciary, was fairly earned during his football career. The judge ruled that it cannot be demonstrated that Drenthe had access to the money at the time it was seized. According to the court, there is indeed a suspicion of money laundering in the case, because it involved a suspicious amount of money that was also hidden. It has not been proven that Drenthe was involved in this.
Drenthe claims to have suffered more damage as a result of the accusations. The left back was personally declared bankrupt at the end of last year. According to his lawyer Joes Blakborn, it was because he had no access to his money. “Justice is responsible for this,” said the lawyer opposite Broadcasting Brabant. “We will certainly try to recover that damage later. My client is a victim and not a perpetrator.” Drenthe therefore demands back the amount of 176,500 euros. In the judgment of the court in Breda no judgment is made about this.
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