Ex-Dutch Star Castelen Gets 18-Month Sentence

Romeo Castelen jailed for money laundering

Former Dutch international Romeo Castelen gets 18 months in prison for money laundering. Castelen was with 10 national team caps and experience at Feyenoord and Hamburger SV.

Castelen sentenced to 18 months, must pay €2m for laundering millions...

Romeo Castelen, the former Dutch international, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for money laundering, with six months suspended. He's also required to pay €2 million. The court found him guilty of laundering millions through China's Zheijiang Yiteng (now Shaoxing Keqiao Yuejia) with the help of the club's sporting director, where he played until 2017.

Castelen was arrested at Schiphol Airport in 2019 with €139,000 cash, claiming it was from casino winnings and watch sales. Prosecutors had sought a three-year sentence, but Castelen's team plans to appeal, arguing the court's decision overlooked his legitimate football earnings. A co-defendant, a football scout, received a similar sentence and must pay €690,000.

Before joining other clubs, he was contracted to Feyenoord and Hamburger SV from 2007 to 2011. He also earned 10 caps for the Dutch national team. 

In 2019, Castelen's trip to China was halted when he was arrested at Schiphol Airport with 139,000 euros in his carry-on luggage. He told authorities the cash came from casino winnings and selling luxury watches.

Castelen received a prison sentence and a fine, along with a co-defendant. Prosecutors had pushed for a three-year prison term, but got less. Castelen plans to appeal the verdict.