⚖️ Sofian Kiyine: Two Serious Accidents, a Ruling Under Appeal, and Ongoing Legal Issues
🚗 Two Serious Accidents in Less Than Two Years: Similar Facts, but Legally Distinct Cases
➤ First Accident – Flémalle, 30 March 2023
On 30 March 2023, Belgian-Moroccan footballer Sofian Kiyine was involved in a dramatic accident in Flémalle, in the Liège region. Driving at high speed — between 140 and 200 km/h — he lost control of his vehicle, struck a roundabout, and crashed through the front of a sports hall. Fortunately, no children were inside at the time, although a training session had just ended.
His blood alcohol level was measured at 1.72 g/L, significantly above Belgium’s legal limit of 0.5 g/L. Kiyine was seriously injured and hospitalized.
➤ Second Accident – Liège, 12 July 2025
Less than two years later, on 12 July 2025, another accident occurred in Liège, shortly after 7:00 a.m. Kiyine, again behind the wheel, struck a roundabout and a streetlight. The car burst into flames. A female passenger was seriously injured (spinal fracture, broken ribs). His blood alcohol level was 1.5 g/L.
According to the victim, Kiyine had refused to let her drive, despite showing visible signs of intoxication, and accelerated just before the crash.
⚖️ The 2024 Court Ruling: Suspended, Now Under Appeal
Following the first accident, the Liège Police Court granted a suspension of the ruling on 19 March 2024, meaning:
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No formal conviction was registered;
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The offense was not entered into Kiyine’s criminal record;
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The suspension was conditional on good future conduct.
However, the public prosecutor filed an appeal, judging the measure too lenient given the seriousness of the facts. The case is now pending before the Liège Correctional Court, with a hearing scheduled in 2025. No final decision has yet been rendered.
🧾 No Legal Recidivism Under Belgian Criminal Law
Under Belgian law, recidivism can only be established if a final and irrevocable conviction has been issued before the new offense.
In this case:
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The 2023 ruling is not final (it is under appeal);
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No definitive judgment existed at the time of the 2025 incident.
➡️ Conclusion: There is no legal recidivism and therefore no automatic sentence enhancement on this basis.
⚖️ Possible Penalties for the 2025 Offense (Drink Driving, Intoxication, Injury)
Belgian law distinguishes between simple drink driving and driving in a state of intoxication or incapacity:
| Offense or Circumstance | Possible Penalties or Measures |
|---|---|
| Drink driving (≥ 0.5 g/L) | Administrative fine, possible immediate license suspension, warning or police hearing |
| Aggravated drink driving (≥ 0.8 g/L) | Summons to the Police Court, criminal fine, mandatory license withdrawal |
| Driving while intoxicated or incapacitated (≥ 1.2–1.5 g/L or visibly unfit) | Criminal fine, license disqualification from 1 month to 5 years (or permanent), possible mandatory measures |
| Involuntary bodily harm (injured passenger) | Prison sentence (possibly suspended), criminal fine, civil damages |
| Refusal to give up the wheel while intoxicated | Aggravating circumstance, considered in sentencing |
📌 Intoxication is defined as a state of manifest incapacity to drive, typically presumed from 1.2 g/L and up. The Highway Code distinguishes it from basic drink driving.
🚧 Administrative, Medical and Psychological Measures
In addition to criminal penalties, several complementary or mandatory measures may be imposed based on the severity and context:
| Supplementary Measure | Application |
|---|---|
| Alcohol interlock (alcolock) | Optional from 1.5 g/L, mandatory from 1.8 g/L, imposed by the court or the Federal Mobility Service |
| Re-taking driving exams (theory + practical) | Mandatory if license disqualification > 3 months, or if driving fitness is in question |
| Psychological and medical examination | Required if there are signs of addiction, recurring offenses, or endangerment |
| Costs payable by the driver | All costs related to the alcolock, psychological, and medical assessments are borne by the offender |
🧭 A Dual Legal Procedure with Major Implications
Sofian Kiyine is now facing two separate legal proceedings, each with potentially serious legal and personal consequences:
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The first case (2023) remains on hold, pending an appeal decision;
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The second case (2025) is aggravated by the presence of a seriously injured passenger, a high alcohol level, and reckless behavior.
Beyond the individual penalties, the case raises broader questions about road safety in professional sports, the responsibility of clubs and athletic organizations, and the importance of psychological support for elite athletes.
