Former Dutch soccer star Quincy Promes is being sent back to the Netherlands from Dubai to face serious legal troubles. The Dutch prosecution confirmed he's now in Dutch custody and on his way home.
Promes, who scored 7 goals in 50 matches for the Netherlands national team, was sentenced to six years in prison last year. The court found him guilty of helping smuggle hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in 2020, though his lawyers say he denies these claims.
This isn't the 33-year-old's only legal problem. In 2023, he was also convicted of stabbing his cousin in the leg, receiving an 18-month prison sentence. Both cases are currently under appeal.
From Top Clubs to Legal Troubles
Promes once enjoyed a successful career with major European clubs. He played for Ajax in the Netherlands and Sevilla in Spain before moving to Spartak Moscow in Russia in 2021.
The former winger had been living in Russia until his arrest in Dubai last year. Reports suggest he was detained around the time Spartak Moscow was in Dubai for friendly matches. More recently, he had been playing for United FC, a second-tier club in Dubai.
His international career effectively ended when his legal problems began to mount. What was once a promising soccer journey has been derailed by serious criminal allegations.
Impact on Career and Legacy
Promes' situation represents a dramatic fall from grace for a player who once represented his country at the highest level. His extradition means he likely faces immediate imprisonment upon arrival in the Netherlands.
The betting markets had long ago written off any chance of Promes returning to top-flight European football. His lengthy legal battles and potential prison time have effectively ended what could have been several more productive years at the top level.
For Spartak Moscow, his former club, this situation provides closure on a complicated chapter. The Russian side had previously faced criticism for continuing to employ Promes despite his legal issues.
Football fans who followed Promes during his prime years with Ajax and the Dutch national team now witness the conclusion of a troubling story. His case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly careers can unravel when players become involved in serious off-field issues.
The Dutch prosecution has not yet confirmed when Promes will face court proceedings related to his return, but his legal team will likely focus on the appeals process for both convictions.
