Dimitri Payet Denies Assault, Confirms Consensual Sadomasochistic Relationship with Larissa Ferrari
Former Premier League star Dimitri Payet, currently playing for Vasco da Gama in Brazil, has publicly addressed serious allegations of abuse made by his former partner, Larissa Ferrari.
In a statement to Brazilian police, the 38-year-old French footballer denied accusations of physical, psychological, and sexual violence, asserting that their seven-month extramarital relationship was consensual and rooted in mutual sadomasochistic practices.
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The controversy erupted when Ferrari, a 28-year-old Brazilian lawyer and mother of two, filed a complaint with Rio de Janeiro authorities on March 29, accusing Payet of subjecting her to “physical, moral, psychological, and sexual violence.”
Ferrari alleged that Payet coerced her into degrading acts, including drinking her own urine, consuming toilet water, and licking the floor, as well as participating in a staged wedding to “prove her love.” She claimed these acts were non-consensual and that Payet exploited her psychological vulnerabilities, citing her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.
In his testimony, Payet admitted to meeting Ferrari via Instagram in August 2024, initially using a fake profile, and confirmed their relationship involved specific fetishes, including Ferrari dressing as a bride during sexual encounters.
He acknowledged that practices such as urine drinking were “common” within their dynamic, stating that Ferrari had sent him a video in January 2025 in which she “spontaneously drank her own urine and put her head in the toilet.”
Payet further claimed that Ferrari requested acts such as slapping her buttocks during intercourse, which resulted in visible marks on her body due to her “very light skin.” He firmly denied any non-consensual aggression, insisting that all acts were proposed or agreed upon by Ferrari.
Payet, a former West Ham and Marseille midfielder who represented France in the Euro 2016 final, moved to Brazil in 2023 to join Vasco da Gama. Married to Ludivine Payet for nearly 20 years and a father of four, Payet has been living in Brazil without his family, reportedly leading to feelings of loneliness that prompted his connection with Ferrari, a lifelong Vasco supporter.
The relationship, which began as an online exchange before escalating to in-person encounters, has sparked significant media attention due to the gravity of Ferrari’s allegations and Payet’s high-profile status.
Ferrari, who separated from her husband during her relationship with Payet, has stated she seeks justice to address the alleged abuse and to support other women in abusive relationships. She told AFP, “I’m a lawyer, I would never have made such serious complaints lightly,” emphasizing that she recorded videos of the acts under duress.
Ferrari also sought a protective order against Payet and has since left Rio de Janeiro, undergoing psychological and psychiatric treatment.
Vasco da Gama issued a statement noting that Payet has cooperated fully with the investigation and that the club has not received formal notification from authorities. Brazilian police are continuing their inquiry, and the examination of messages and videos is expected to play a critical role in determining the validity of the claims.
