Overview

• The Paris criminal court ruled in favor of Le Canard enchaîné, dismissing Kevin Escoffier's defamation lawsuit over its October 2023 article on sexual assault allegations against him.
• Judges determined the magazine conducted a serious, months-long investigation with cross-checked evidence and included Escoffier's denials in its reporting.
• A 32-year-old team member testified in court that Escoffier groped her during a May 2023 incident in Newport, which was detailed in the article.
• Escoffier admitted under oath to apologizing for his actions under pressure from sponsors, despite publicly denying any wrongdoing.
• The sailor is set to stand trial in Lorient in March 2026 on sexual assault charges involving complaints from four women.