Former Premier League footballer who cost £25m punished after 'dangerous dog attack'

 Ex-West Ham star Said Benrahma has pleaded guilty to owning 'dangerously out of control dogs' following an attack over two years ago.

Benrahma, 30, admitted to being guilty of two charges at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and has also been fined £12,000. The incident, which took place in July 2023, saw a golden retriever and its owner attacked.

Benrahma's XL Bully - a breed which has been banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 since December 2023 - was said to have injured Luke Rehbin while out of control at his home. A second charge also relates to the Algerian winger's American bulldog also being involved in the incident.

Mr Rehbun suffered grazes to his arms and legs after grappling with the dogs on the ground. Meanwhile, his dog needed vet treatment.

Benrahma revealed that the dogs had escaped from a side gate which had been left open by someone working for him. The winger appeared at court via video link from a car in Saudi Arabia.

District Judge Matt Jabbitt claimed the incident must have been “very distressing” for Mr Rehbin. He then fined Benrahma £5,000 for each of the attacks, ordered him to pay £2,500 compensation to Mr Rehbin plus £495 kennel costs.

Benrahma arrived in England in 2018 as he joined Brentford from French side Nice, before he moved to West Ham two years later. Benrahma would score 24 goals in 155 games for the Hammers and helped the side win the Europa Conference League under David Moyes.

He eventually left the London Stadium in 2023 with a switch to Lyon. Benrahma has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia since January having joined Neom SC.

Benrahma regularly shared pictures of his dogs during his time in East London. The dogs in question are called Ghost and Cali.