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Belgian veteran faces serious charges
The Brussels public prosecutor's office has formally demanded a two-year custodial sentence alongside a €105,000 fine for the former Cagliari star over alleged money laundering. Although the 38-year-old was originally detained by police in January 2025 as part of an international drug trafficking probe in Antwerp, he has consistently protested his innocence. Prosecutors have now cleared him of direct involvement in narcotics or a criminal organisation.
Cash transfer sparks legal scrutiny
Despite dropping the initial gang and trafficking allegations, state investigators believe the veteran midfielder, nicknamed 'Il Ninja' during his time in Italy, should still be convicted for handling illicit funds exceeding €100,000. The sum in question was allegedly handed to him by his friend Nasr-Eddine Sekkaki, who is the younger brother of notorious criminal Ashraf Sekkaki.
Detailing the transaction during the court session, the prosecutor stated: "Nainggolan received €105,000 in cash from Sekkaki, who asked for the money to be transferred to his mother's account."
In response to those claims, Nainggolan explained to investigators that he merely borrowed the cash from Sekkaki to maintain his personal lifestyle after his own bank accounts were frozen following a divorce from his ex-wife.
Defence team demand full acquittal
Nainggolan has continued his playing career in the Belgian second tier since returning to Europe from his father's homeland of Indonesia, where he represented police-owned outfit Bhayangkara FC during the second half of the 2023-24 campaign. He subsequently joined Lokeren in January 2025 before moving to his current club, Patro Eisden, a year later.
Peacock
✅ Starting with the 2026/27 season, NBCUniversal holds the exclusive US Spanish-language rights to the league, replacing previous Spanish-language rights holders.
✅ Every single Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa match is broadcast with dedicated Spanish commentary, streaming live on Peacock.
✅ Integrates the Italian league into NBC’s massive existing soccer portfolio, allowing bilingual viewers to watch the Premier League, Liga MX, and Serie A within the same digital ecosystem.
Fubo
✅ Carries local CBS stations, CBS Sports Network, Telemundo, and Universo, giving you access to both the English and Spanish linear television broadcasts for Serie A.
✅ Offers a fully-featured 5-day free trial, allowing you to stream live weekend matches, use the DVR, and test the interface before committing to a paid subscription.
✅ Allows you to record games while you're away or asleep and stream them on your own schedule across unlimited screens on your home network.
Paramount+
✅ Serves as the undisputed primary home for Serie A in the US, streaming all 380 league fixtures live and on-demand.
✅ Gives fans the choice to watch matches with either the dedicated CBS English-language studio team or the authentic, original Italian-language broadcast audio.
✅ Packages the complete Italian domestic calendar (including the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa) right next to their exclusive English-language coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
Peacock
✅ Starting with the 2026/27 season, NBCUniversal holds the exclusive US Spanish-language rights to the league, replacing previous Spanish-language rights holders.
✅ Every single Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa match is broadcast with dedicated Spanish commentary, streaming live on Peacock.
✅ Integrates the Italian league into NBC’s massive existing soccer portfolio, allowing bilingual viewers to watch the Premier League, Liga MX, and Serie A within the same digital ecosystem.
Fubo
✅ Carries local CBS stations, CBS Sports Network, Telemundo, and Universo, giving you access to both the English and Spanish linear television broadcasts for Serie A.
✅ Offers a fully-featured 5-day free trial, allowing you to stream live weekend matches, use the DVR, and test the interface before committing to a paid subscription.
✅ Allows you to record games while you're away or asleep and stream them on your own schedule across unlimited screens on your home network.
Paramount+
✅ Serves as the undisputed primary home for Serie A in the US, streaming all 380 league fixtures live and on-demand.
✅ Gives fans the choice to watch matches with either the dedicated CBS English-language studio team or the authentic, original Italian-language broadcast audio.
✅ Packages the complete Italian domestic calendar (including the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa) right next to their exclusive English-language coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
Peacock
✅ Starting with the 2026/27 season, NBCUniversal holds the exclusive US Spanish-language rights to the league, replacing previous Spanish-language rights holders.
✅ Every single Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa match is broadcast with dedicated Spanish commentary, streaming live on Peacock.
✅ Integrates the Italian league into NBC’s massive existing soccer portfolio, allowing bilingual viewers to watch the Premier League, Liga MX, and Serie A within the same digital ecosystem.
While the midfielder did not attend the initial hearing in person, his legal representative Mounir Souidi confirmed that the defence will push for a complete acquittal when they present their case next month, saying: "We have already demonstrated that there was no truth to the previous charges; only money laundering remains, but even that is unfounded."
November court date looms large
Nainggolan's legal team are scheduled to formally deliver their defence arguments before the Brussels court on November 13 as they attempt to get the remaining financial charge thrown out. According to Belgian media reports, the former Roma and Inter playmaker could attend next month's hearing in person after missing the latest session. Until a final verdict is reached, he remains on the books at second-division side Eisden.