Sebastien Bechaud, a former Women's A-League coach for the Melbourne Victory, has been jailed for rape and has been sentenced to four years in prison with a non-parole period of 20 months.
Sacked as Melbourne Victory's goalkeeping coach in March 2023 after being charged, Bechaud had already served 80 days in custody.
Relocating to Australia in 2015 after an arm injury ended his career at the age of 22, he was promoted to the position of the club's goalkeeping coach of the women's team in 2020.
According to 9News,ย he was found guilty of raping the woman in early 2021 after meeting her on a dating app, with the woman recalling she "felt trapped" and "fearful" for her life.
"For a person who has purported professionally to be such a supporter of women in the sporting field this is, apart from not being acceptable, it is appalling," Judge Liz Gaynor said via 9News.
Born in France, it is understood that he could be deported back to his home country once released from jail due to his visa status and length of sentencing.
