MAASTRICHT - Because he allegedly kicked the trainer of amateur soccer club VV Keer half blind, the court in Maastricht yesterday demanded against Thijs V. (24) the maximum community service penalty of 240 hours and half a year of suspended imprisonment (probation two years).
The mass brawl took place in March 2010, immediately after the end of the game between Valkenburg's Iason and VV Keer. Thijs V. allegedly kicked Jo Geyselaers full in the face while he was lying on the ground. This left the soccer coach unconscious and seriously injured: four fractures in his upper jaw, a concussion, broken teeth and a broken nose and eye socket. The latter left him partially blind.
Geyselaers, who also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the molestation, has been unable to work since then, as well as perform the profession of soccer coach. "I have never had an apology from the defendant for this," he said in his victim statement. Thijs V., who was previously suspended by the KNVB for two years, denied to the court all accusations against him.
The prosecutor spoke of "a very big mistake" made by the amateur soccer player. "What does a kick to the head have to do with sports? That is a serious criminal offense." V.'s lawyer Françoise Landerloo asked for acquittal. "After all, too many contradictory statements were made by witnesses."
Verdict in two weeks.
