Former Premier League defender Ronnie Stam, who once lifted the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic, now finds himself on the brink of a lengthy prison sentence. The 40-year-old ex-footballer has been accused, alongside his brother Rudy, of smuggling an estimated two tons of cocaine into Europe, with the street value of the drugs reaching a staggering £48 million (approximately RM276 million).
According to a report by The Sun, Dutch prosecutors allege that the Stam brothers coordinated a drug trafficking operation between 2020 and 2021, transporting massive quantities of cocaine from South America to the Netherlands. Investigators reportedly uncovered encrypted phone messages and photographic evidence of drug packages.
From FA Cup Glory to Criminal Charges
Ronnie Stam enjoyed a professional football career that spanned three seasons in the Premier League with Wigan, from 2010 to 2013. During his time at the club, he made 73 top-flight appearances and was part of the squad that famously won the 2013 FA Cup, although an injury kept him out of the final itself. That summer, he moved to Belgian side Standard Liège before eventually retiring from the game.
Today, Stam stands in a Dutch courtroom instead of a football pitch. The trial, taking place in Breda, has gripped fans and shocked many in the football community, who remember him as a disciplined right-back with a solid professional reputation.
Prosecutors Seek 13-Year Sentence and Massive Fine
The prosecution has requested a 13-year prison sentence for Ronnie Stam, along with a fine of approximately €1.7 million (£1.44 million). His brother Rudy, 43, is facing over six years in prison and a similar financial penalty if found guilty.
Authorities claim the brothers played key roles in an organised trafficking ring, using encrypted phones to coordinate shipments and conceal drug loads. Photos recovered from their devices allegedly show the cocaine bricks in transit.
If convicted, Stam’s story will become yet another cautionary tale of a once-celebrated athlete whose life took a dark turn after football. His involvement in one of the largest drug cases in Dutch recent history could overshadow a once-promising career defined by top-flight football and FA Cup success.
The court is expected to deliver a verdict in the coming weeks.
