A former Premier League player and FA Cup The winner could face up to 13 years in prison after being charged with smuggling £48 worth of cocaine.
The ex-Wigan defender Ronnie Stam could also be hit with a fine of up to £1.5 million following allegations that he was involved in trafficking approximately two tonnes of drugs.
The 40-year-old suspect is on trial in Breda along with his brother Rudi, facing charges of smuggling cocaine from South America. America to the Netherlands.
The public prosecutor has proposed that Stam be sentenced to jail time extending till 2038 along with a payment of £1.5 million as a fine, whereas his sibling Rudi might face imprisonment for six years coupled with an identical financial penalty.
The former Wigan player has been detained for a year since his initial arrest regarding these accusations.
At a hearing held last September, a prosecutor stated: "This case involves multiple instances of several hundred kilograms of cocaine. I argue that Stam played a significant role in the drug trade."
Dutch broadcaster Omroepbrabant reported that when Stam learned about the proposed 13-year sentence, he implied it was due to his celebrity status.
He mentioned that his children ended up crying over it," he explained. "The younger one believes they won’t see him again, while the older child fears he'll miss out on their whole soccer journey.
'It's more severe than even for the largest drug offenders. This is solely due to it being a high-profile media case and my proficiency in football.'
The former footballer asserts his innocence, stating to the judge: “I am not a significant figure in the drug scene.”
The court case carries on with the Stam brothers awaiting a decision, anticipated in August.
In 2010, the younger Stam joined Wigan for £2 million following his victory in the Eredivisie with FC Twente.
The right-back subsequently made 62 appearances in the Premier League for Wigan and claimed an FA Cup victory with the team in 2013; however, he did not feature in the final match.
In 2013, he departed from Wigan to join Standard Liege in Belgium. Later, he returned to NAC Breda, the club where he initially started his professional career.
In 2016, Stam stepped down from his career at the age of only 32, stating: “I have thoroughly contemplated this decision.”
'However, it is healthier for me to conclude my career at this point. The lack of promotion and complete restructuring at NAC have made this decision simpler.'
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