Ex-West Ham star, Said Benrahma, is facing trial after his XL Bully and American bulldog allegedly attacked and injured a man on a walk.
The 30-year-old, who spent four seasons at the Hammers before leaving on a permanent deal to Lyon last year, is charged with two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs when he lived in Hornchurch, East London, in 2023.
Punishments if found guilty range from an unlimited fine to prison time, not being allowed to own dogs and having to have dogs euthanised.
Benrahma regularly posts pictures of himself with his pets, named Ghost and Cali, on social media.
He was not in attendance at Willesden magistrates’ court on Thursday because he is currently in Saudi Arabia and the alleged victim’s name is Luke Rehbin.
But Benrahma will appear in court either in person or via video link later this month.
Benrahma is pictured with his dogs Ghost and Cali in an image he shared on Instagram
The former West Ham man is charged with two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs
Benrahma played four seasons for the Hammers after joining from Brentford for £30million
Adrian England, defending Benrahma, said: ‘I want an application to request an adjournment.
‘I know nothing about the basics except for the absolute basics. I don’t know precisely what he has been charged for.
‘I need to take instructions from his solicitor in Monaco to contact him and speak to him to receive proper instructions.’
He suggested the footballer will be denying the charges and added that Benrahma was ‘hoping to keep costs to an absolute minimum’.
Magistrate Roger King said the case will remain in the magistrates’ court rather than be committed to crown court.
Benrahma became West Ham’s third most expensive signing of all time when he joined the club for £30million from Brentford in 2021.
The Algerian-born star scored 24 goals in 155 games for the Hammers before spending a season on loan at Lyon in Ligue 1 and they made the deal permanent for £12m.
The winger then struggled to break into the team and was loaned to Saudi Arabian side Neom SC, who paid £13m to make the transfer in April after they had won promotion to the top flight.
