Panini albums and the UNFP condemned for using the image of four players, including Jérémy Doku, without their consent

Four footballers won their trial at first instance on Wednesday May 15 against the Italian brand Panini and against the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP), convicted of having used their image without their consent in the famous Panini albums, the Agency learned Radio France with their lawyer, confirming information from Parisian.

These four players, Manchester City striker Jérémy Doku, but also Bruno Ecuele-Manga, Vincent Bessat, and Jérémy Pied won their trial on Wednesday, confirms Me Elie Dottelonde, who explains that the UNFP’s commercial company, Promo- football, is ordered to pay “a few thousand euros” to these four players.

The affair began in 2022 when around fifteen professional players led a revolt against the famous Italian brand that publishes football player stickers, including former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jérôme Rothen. If Jérôme Rothen’s case was finally prescribed, the four remaining players were heard at the Paris judicial court on March 13.

Jérémy Doku, Bruno Ecuele-Manga, Vincent Bessat and Jérémy Pied in fact criticized Panini for not having a document proving their consent. Also in the crosshairs were the professional players’ union, the UNFP, and its commercial company, Promo-foot, which had dealt with the Italian publisher. “We have no written document concerning the Panini company and the plaintiffs which would authorize this company to exploit the image of the plaintiffs,” had denounced their lawyer Elie Dottelonde in March on Franceinfo.