Blackmail trial of Lewandowski’s former manager opens

By: The Associated Press Posted: 7:04 AM CST Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The former manager of soccer player Robert Lewandowski went on trial in Poland on Thursday for allegedly blackmailing the Barcelona striker and his wife.

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WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The former manager of soccer player Robert Lewandowski went on trial in Poland on Thursday for allegedly blackmailing the Barcelona striker and his wife.

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This article was published 02/02/2023 (1358 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The former manager of soccer player Robert Lewandowski went on trial in Poland on Thursday for allegedly blackmailing the Barcelona striker and his wife.

Cezary Kucharski, who is accused of trying to extort about $20 million from the couple, arrived at a Warsaw court for the start of the case. The judge ordered the proceedings to be held behind closed doors.

Kucharski had publicly accused Lewandowski and his wife of tax irregularities in Germany. He is accused demanding money from them in return for silence.

FILE - Poland's Robert Lewandowski waves after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 4, 2022. The former Polish manager of Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski went on trial Thursday Feb. 2, 2023 in Poland for allegedly having blackmailed the footballer and his wife trying to extort some euro 20 million from them. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File)

Lewandowski, who has won two FIFA best player awards, denied any wrongdoing and sued Kucharski — Lewandowski’s manager for almost 10 years, up to 2018.

Kucharski, a former Poland national team soccer player, could face up to three years in prison if convicted.

Kucharski was hospitalized last year in Spain and temporarily put into an induced coma.