Quincy Promes, the Dutch soccer player once celebrated for his skill on the field, has been extradited from Dubai to the Netherlands to face a lengthy prison sentence. The 33-year-old, who has played for prominent clubs like Ajax, Sevilla, and Spartak Moscow, now confronts the consequences of serious criminal convictions that have overshadowed his sporting career.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, Dutch authorities confirmed that Promes was en route to the Netherlands in custody, following his arrest in Dubai approximately a week earlier. His extradition followed a formal request by the Dutch police and was reportedly conducted via private jet, a measure taken to ensure both safety and privacy during the transfer.
Promes faces a combined prison sentence of seven and a half years, stemming from two major convictions. The first relates to his involvement in a cocaine smuggling operation, while the second concerns an aggravated assault charge following a violent incident involving his cousin. Both cases have been subject to appeals, but the convictions stand as a stark reminder of the dramatic fall from grace for the former football star.
In February 2024, Promes was sentenced in absentia to six years in prison by the Amsterdam District Court for his role in smuggling over 1,370 kilograms (approximately 3,000 pounds) of cocaine into the Netherlands from Belgium in 2020. The court ruled that Promes was complicit in the import and export of hundreds of kilograms of the illicit drug during that year. Despite these charges, Promes has consistently denied any involvement and has filed appeals against the verdict.
Adding to his legal troubles, Promes was found guilty in 2023 of stabbing his cousin during a family gathering in 2020, an event that initially led to a trial for attempted murder but was later downgraded to aggravated assault. He received an 18-month prison sentence for this offense, which he is also appealing. Notably, Promes had avoided attending court in 2023 by remaining in Russia, where he had been playing for Spartak Moscow, a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the Netherlands.
Throughout these turbulent years, Promes maintained an active football career. He made his senior debut with FC Twente in 2009, spending three years there before moving to Spartak Moscow for his first stint. After four years in Russia, he joined Sevilla in Spain's La Liga for a single season before returning to the Netherlands to play for Ajax. In 2021, he rejoined Spartak Moscow and stayed for another three years. Despite the looming legal issues, Promes continued to perform on the pitch, scoring a total of 114 goals over his two spells with Spartak.
In 2024, Promes transitioned to Dubai United, a second-tier club in the United Arab Emirates, continuing his professional career amidst the legal battles. It was during his time in Dubai that he was arrested last year, coinciding with Spartak Moscow’s visit to the city for friendly matches. His arrest came after he had been placed on a global wanted list, and Dutch authorities seized nine properties registered under his name in the Netherlands.
Internationally, Promes was a significant figure for the Dutch national team, earning 50 caps and scoring seven goals between 2014 and 2023. His promising career, however, has been severely impacted by his legal entanglements, effectively ending his international appearances.
A spokesperson for the Dutch prosecutors confirmed Promes' extradition and custody status, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges. "He has been extradited to serve his sentence and will face the consequences of his actions under Dutch law," the spokesperson stated.
Promes' lawyers continue to assert his innocence and have lodged appeals in both the drug trafficking and assault cases. The footballer's willingness to return to the Netherlands to cooperate with the legal process was seen as a pragmatic step, although Dubai authorities had already prepared for his extradition independently.
The saga of Quincy Promes is a striking example of how off-field actions can dramatically alter the trajectory of a professional athlete's life and career. Once celebrated for his talent and achievements on the soccer field, Promes now faces a challenging future behind bars, grappling with the repercussions of criminal convictions that have eclipsed his sporting legacy.
As the Netherlands prepares to enforce the prison sentence, the football community and fans worldwide watch closely, reflecting on the complex intersection of sports, law, and personal conduct.
