Once a celebrated figure in Dutch football, Quincy Promes's story has taken a dramatic and disturbing turn. The 33-year-old former Ajax and Sevilla forward, who earned 50 caps for the Netherlands national team, now faces a lengthy prison sentence after being extradited from Dubai to the Netherlands to face justice for drug trafficking and aggravated assault. His case serves as a cautionary tale of how a promising career can be derailed by criminal activity.
Promes's legal troubles began in December 2020 when he was arrested in connection with a stabbing incident at a family gathering. The victim was his own cousin, who was allegedly stabbed in the knee following an argument. In 2023, Promes was found guilty of aggravated assault and sentenced to 18 months in prison. He denied the allegations and has filed an appeal against the sentence.
However, the assault case was only the tip of the iceberg. In February 2024, Promes was sentenced in absentia to six years in prison for his involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation. The Amsterdam District Court ruled that he was complicit in the import and export of over a tonne of cocaine in 2020. The drugs were smuggled from Brazil to the Netherlands via the port of Antwerp, hidden in shipments of salt.
Evidence against Promes included intercepted phone calls and eyewitness accounts, which the court deemed as strong evidence of his direct involvement in the international drug trade. The court noted that Promes, despite being a highly-paid footballer with a large following, chose to engage in criminal activities to increase his wealth and prestige. Prosecutors had originally sought a nine-year prison sentence for the drug trafficking offense.
At the time of his conviction, Promes was playing for Spartak Moscow in Russia. Russia does not have an extradition treaty with the Netherlands, which allowed him to continue playing for the club despite the outstanding arrest warrant. In March 2024, he was arrested in Dubai while attending a Spartak Moscow training camp. Following his arrest, Spartak Moscow terminated his contract, and Promes subsequently joined UAE second-tier club United FC of Dubai.
After a year-long legal battle, Promes was finally extradited to the Netherlands in June 2025. He was flown back on a chartered plane and immediately taken to a detention facility to begin serving his sentence. The earliest possible date for his release is 2030, depending on parole eligibility and the outcome of any legal appeals. Promes has denied all charges and is appealing both convictions.
Combined, the two convictions for drug trafficking and aggravated assault, result in a total sentence of seven and a half years. His last appearance for the Netherlands national team was in 2023, before the legal issues completely derailed his career. Once considered one of the Netherlands' brightest footballing talents, his career took a sharp downturn following the criminal investigations, leading to his departure from Ajax and a move to the UAE.
The case of Quincy Promes highlights the dark side of professional sports, where fame and fortune can sometimes lead individuals down a path of crime and destruction. It also raises questions about the influence of organized crime on footballers and the need for greater vigilance in preventing such activities.
