Former France footballer Tony Vairelles convicted of armed assault

A French court on Monday sentenced former international footballer Tony Vairelles to five years in prison, with two suspended, for armed assault during a nightclub fracas near his home city of Nancy in 2011.

Fabrice, Jimmy, and Giovan, three of his brothers, were also sentenced to prison for their roles in the assault on security officials at the club after they were booted out for intoxicated behavior.

The four males returned with baseball bats to attack the security guards, who retaliated with tear gas and a baton before one man opened fire with a 22 caliber rifle.

Three bouncers were shot and injured, but the court sentenced them to three to four months in prison for their roles in the altercation.

Vairelles’ lawyers had attempted to have the case dismissed, claiming that the inquiry had taken too long and involved four different presiding judges over the course of ten years.

He and his siblings have been released on bond since 2012 after denying the attempted murder accusations.

Vairelles, 49, began his career with AS Nancy before moving on to Lens and Lyon.

Between 1998 and 2003, he won the French title with Lens and Lyon, and he was capped eight times by France.

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