Dutch prosecutors intend to press attempted murder charges against Spartak Moscow player Quincy Promes, they said on Wednesday, in order to ensure his case proceeds as quickly as possible.
Promes was arrested in connection with a July 2020 stabbing in the Dutch town of Abcoude. It later emerged that the alleged victim was Promes's cousin and the incident took place in a fight after a family party. Promes has denied involvement.
Prosecutors had initially intended to charge Promes, a former Ajax Amsterdam player and Netherlands international, with attempted manslaughter and aggravated assault.
But after the alleged victim's lawyer asked for the heavier charge, Promes' lawyer agreed, in order to ensure the case proceed as quickly as possible. Hearings are planned for March 31, the public prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Promes was playing for Ajax at the time of the incident, but moved to Spartak Moscow in February, 2021. He scored a goal in Spartak's 2-0 win over Dynamo Moscow on Sunday. The 30-year-old has made 50 appearances for the Netherlands senior national team.