Brazilian woman accuses ex-France international Payet of domestic violence

A Brazilian woman claiming to have had a romantic relationship with French footballer Dimitri Payet has lodged a complaint against him in Rio de Janeiro for “physical and psychological violence”, according to a report viewed by AFP. 

The 38-year-old midfielder, who spent much of his career with Marseille either side of a stint in the Premier League with West Ham United, joined Vasco da Gama in 2023, arriving in Rio with his wife and children.  

“The complaint was registered at a police station specialising in assisting women,” the civil police of Rio told AFP. “The investigation is underway, under the seal of confidentiality.”

According to the police report, dated March 29, the woman said she had been “assaulted” by Payet, leaving marks on her body, and suffered “physical, moral, psychological and sexual violence”.

AFP has contacted both Payet and his club but neither has responded. 

The complainant, a 28-year-old lawyer and Vasco da Gama supporter, told AFP that she met Dimitri Payet via Instagram last August, and that they subsequently had a romantic relationship. 

“In December, we had our first argument and he started telling me he was going to punish me,” she said. 

“He asked me for proof of love, which consisted of humiliation. I recorded videos of myself drinking my own urine, drinking the water from the toilet bowl and licking the floor,” she said. 

The woman also claimed that Payet sometimes “pushed” her and “stepped” on her. 

According to another report which AFP has viewed, the complainant, who says she suffers from borderline personality disorder, which is characterised by hypersensitivity and emotional instability in interpersonal relationships, has asked the police for protection against Payet.