A former Aberdeen Football Club player is facing criminal charges over claims he “abandoned” his family.
Roberto Bisconti could be forced to pay his ex-wife Joelle Verderame more than £50,000 after she lodged a complaint at the Criminal Court of Liege, in the ex-midfielder’s native Belgium.
The charges were brought after the 40-year-old was found guilty of falsely declaring himself bankrupt last year.
The court previously heard that Bisconti deliberately went bust so that he did not need to pay towards his children’s upkeep.
He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and a 6,000 euro (about £5,000) fine.
Now his ex is pursuing him for 70,000 euros (about £56,000), alleging “family desertion”.
During his case last year, Bisconti was convicted of fraudulently organised insolvency at the time of his divorce.
The judge also pointed out he had made false statements during a court hearing.
The court heard that he tried to con an insurance company to operate a loan he did not co-sign for, that was still in his wife’s name.
It was said he was trying to buy shares in a restaurant that his girlfriend Caroline Lhoest was opening.
Lhoest helped him by taking ownership of his assets.
She was sentenced to one year in prison – fully suspended for five years – and fined 1,500 euros (about £1,250).
The judge said Bisconti acted with the sole purpose of avoiding creditors, including his three children from his first marriage.
In September 2003, it emerged Bisconti was facing a UEFA ban after leaving a trail of debts behind in Scotland.
The ex-Standard Liege midfielder was being pursued for thousands of pounds of unpaid rent and phone bills and costs to cover the damage done to his former home in Portlethen.
Aberdeen FC chief executive at the time, Keith Wyness, said the club asked European football’s governing body to intervene as they attempted to force Bisconti, who was freed by the Dons, to pay up.
Mr Wyness said the club was “disappointed” by Bisconti’s actions after he left the Dons.
The Belgian, who made 42 appearances during his spell at Pittodrie, went on to play for seven clubs after leaving Scotland.
They included Rapid Bucharest in Romania, Standard Liege and French club Nice.