Dutch footballer Quincy Promes has been extradited from Dubai to the Netherlands, where he is set to begin serving a combined seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence for drug trafficking and aggravated assault.
The 33-year-old, once a regular in the Netherlands national team, was arrested last week in Dubai following an official extradition request from Dutch authorities. His transfer marks the culmination of a long-running legal process that has plagued the winger’s career in recent years.
Promes was sentenced in February 2024 to six years in prison after Dutch prosecutors found him guilty of participating in a major cocaine smuggling operation. The case involved more than 1,350 kilograms of cocaine trafficked from Belgium into the Netherlands in 2020—a haul worth tens of millions of euros on the streets.
In a separate but related legal battle, Promes had also received an 18-month sentence for stabbing his cousin during a family gathering in 2020. Despite being convicted in both cases, he had so far evaded serving any jail time—until now.
From Stardom to Scandal
Quincy Promes is a name familiar to many football fans, including Nigerians who followed his performances during his time at Ajax and Spartak Moscow. Known for his pace and goal-scoring ability, he once looked set for a long and successful international career. He made his senior debut for FC Twente in 2009, before becoming a star in the Russian Premier League with Spartak Moscow.
After a brief stint with Sevilla in Spain’s La Liga, Promes returned to Ajax in the Netherlands and was later recalled to Spartak Moscow for a second spell. In 2024, he signed for Dubai United, a move many saw as a quiet end to a once-promising career. However, his legal troubles continued to follow him.
Promes earned 50 caps for the Netherlands national team, scoring seven goals between 2014 and 2023. His last appearance in the famous Oranje jersey came just two years ago.
Legal Saga
Promes has consistently denied all charges and has filed appeals in both the drug trafficking and assault cases. His lawyers argue that there is insufficient evidence linking him directly to the cocaine shipments, and he has claimed the stabbing incident was misinterpreted and not intentional.
Despite these denials, the Dutch judicial system has remained firm in its rulings. The Public Prosecution Service in the Netherlands issued an international arrest warrant earlier this year, which led to his capture in Dubai.
A spokesperson for the Dutch authorities confirmed: “Mr. Promes has been returned to the Netherlands and is currently in custody. Details of where he will serve his sentence are still being finalised.”
A Cautionary Tale
For many Nigerian football fans and young players dreaming of international success, the fall of Quincy Promes serves as a cautionary tale. Once celebrated for his flair and attacking brilliance, his career is now overshadowed by criminal convictions and missed opportunities.
His story mirrors those of several athletes who, despite reaching the pinnacle of professional sports, become entangled in legal troubles due to choices off the pitch. In Nigeria, where many young talents look to European football as a route out of poverty, Promes’ decline is a stark reminder of the importance of discipline and wise decision-making.
As he prepares to begin his sentence, the football world turns its focus away from the pitch and onto a sobering chapter in the life of a former star. What remains unclear is whether Promes will have any chance to rebuild his football career after serving his time—or whether his story ends behind bars.
