Overview

• He received an 18‑month suspended jail sentence and a €5,000 fine from a French court on Monday.
• Judges imposed a 10‑year prohibition on working with minors, barred his return to France for the same period, and ordered his inclusion on the national sex offenders’ register.
• The case began after cabin crew noticed him viewing the images during an international flight and alerted authorities during a Charles de Gaulle stopover.
• During his appearance, the 58‑year‑old admitted viewing the images, claimed they were AI‑generated, said he felt ashamed, and stated he did not realize it was illegal in France.
• He was held in police custody over the weekend, released after the hearing, and he serves as the Japan Football Association’s technical director overseeing coach education and youth development.