Dimitri Payet, a player for Vasco da Gama, is currently embroiled in a serious legal dispute following allegations of violence made by his former lover, lawyer Larissa Natalya Ferrari. The controversy has captured public attention, particularly given the nature of the accusations which include claims of physical, moral, psychological, and sexual violence.
Payet, who has been married for 18 years and has four children, admitted to having an extramarital affair with Ferrari but firmly denied any allegations of assault. In his statement to the Women’s Assistance Police Station (DEAM) in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, Payet acknowledged that their relationship began in August 2024 after Ferrari followed him on social media. He described their interactions as consensual, insisting that all practices they engaged in were mutually agreed upon.
The allegations were first reported by Ferrari at the end of March 2025, claiming that the incidents of violence occurred between January and February of the same year. According to her, Payet used psychological tactics to coerce her into degrading acts, including making her put her head in the trash and drink her own urine. "I am in psychological and psychiatric treatment to deal with this situation. My life is not the same anymore," Ferrari stated in an interview with CNN.
In a detailed account, Ferrari explained that she began to feel increasingly uncomfortable in January 2025 when Payet began discussing punishments within their relationship. She indicated that the tone shifted from consensual practices to something more aggressive, leading to visible marks on her body. "It was from January that I started having marks on my body, which my close friends began to notice," she said.
Larissa has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, a condition characterized by emotional instability, which she claims Payet was aware of during their relationship. In response to the allegations, Payet asserted that he had no prior knowledge of her mental health issues and that any physical marks were a result of consensual sexual activities, including the use of objects during their encounters.
Ferrari also provided the police with photographs showing bruises on her legs as evidence of the alleged abuse. However, Payet's defense argued that these marks were related to consensual sexual practices, which included spanking during intimate moments. He explained that the marks could be attributed to the use of wooden chairs, stating, "With her very fair skin, even light pressure can leave some mark."
In a twist to the narrative, Payet claimed that Ferrari had initiated many of the practices they engaged in, including asking him to urinate on her during sex. He mentioned that she had sent him a video in January 2025, where she was seen drinking her own urine and placing her head in the toilet, which he described as a common practice between them. "These practices were consensual and proposed by Larissa herself," he reiterated. He also mentioned that she had expressed a desire to continue their relationship in France, provided he covered all expenses, a proposal he declined.
On April 24, 2025, Ferrari's lawyers filed a request with the Domestic Violence Court in Barra da Tijuca, asking for protective measures to be granted in light of the accusations. They emphasized the importance of taking the victim’s word seriously and ensuring her safety. The legal proceedings are still ongoing, and both parties are awaiting the court's decision on the matter.
In a statement regarding the situation, Vasco da Gama expressed that they had not yet been officially notified of the allegations against Payet. The club stated, "Vasco da Gama informs that, until now, it has not been notified by any authority about the recent event involving athlete Dimitri Payet. The club emphasizes that the player has been cooperating with the investigations and has already given a statement to the Women’s Assistance Police Station. Vasco awaits the results of the investigation conducted by the competent authorities."
The case has sparked discussions around issues of consent, emotional manipulation, and the complexities of relationships involving individuals with mental health challenges. As the investigation unfolds, both Payet and Ferrari continue to navigate the legal and personal ramifications of their relationship.
While Payet maintains his innocence, asserting that all interactions were consensual, Ferrari’s insistence on feeling coerced raises critical questions about the dynamics of power and control in intimate relationships. As the legal proceedings progress, the public remains keenly interested in the outcome and the implications it may have for both parties involved.
