Ex-West Ham star Said Benrahma faces court over alleged XL bully attack

The allegations against Benrahma, according to The Sun, state that one of his American bulldogs was “out of control near his home”. The XL bully in question is said to have attacked a man named Luke Rehbin. Benrahma has been charged with two counts of owning dangerously out of control dogs.

The first charge relates to the alleged attack on Mr Rehbin, with the second claiming that Benrahma is also the owner of a second animal that threatened to cause injury. Benrahma regularly shared images of his pets on social media during his time with the Hammers. The dogs in question are called Ghost and Cali.

Benrahma had been due to enter pleas at Willesden magistrates’ court on October 2, but was unable to attend. That is because he is now playing his club football in Saudi Arabia for Neom.

His solicitors sent a letter on behalf of their client detailing how Benrahma intends to deny both charges. In his absence, those in court were told how the Algeria international is hoping to “keep costs to an absolute minimum”.

Adrian England, who forms part of the defence, is reported by The Sun to have 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.”

Magistrate Roger King revealed that he was happy for the case to remain in the magistrates’ court, rather than be escalated to the crown court. Benrahma is due to appear in court, either in person or via video link, later in October.

Anyone found guilty of allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control can be stung with a prison sentence, an unlimited fine and be banned from owning another dog. The decision can also be made to euthanise the animals in question.

Benrahma moved to England in 2018 after starting out on the books of Ligue 1 side Nice. He starred at Championship level for the Bees, earning a move to West Ham - initially on loan in 2020. He would go on to become a £30 million ($40m) addition for the Hammers in January 2021 - making him their third-most expensive signing at the time of the deal being completed.

He registered 24 goals for West Ham through 155 appearances, becoming a Conference League winner in 2023. The Algerian returned to French football in 2024 when joining Lyon in a £12m ($16m) transfer following another productive loan spell. Benrahma linked up with Neom in the second tier of Saudi football in January, helping them to secure promotion into the Pro League and landing himself another permanent move - this time for £13m ($17m).

Benrahma has been a full international with Algeria since 2015, earning 40 caps and scoring four goals. He holds French citizenship having moved to Toulouse with his family at the age of 11 and starting his football career in that country. He has graced the Africa Cup of Nations and is hoping to help Algeria to the 2026 World Cup. They currently sit top of their qualification table in the CAF section with two games left to be taken in - meaning that tickets to next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico could be secured across meetings with Somalia and Uganda during the latest break in domestic competition.