Ex-Champions League star once linked with Liverpool could face nine years in prison for drug trafficking

Former Netherlands attacker Quincy Promes could face nine years in prison over alleged drug smuggling.

Promes - once linked with Liverpool - stands accused of being involved in a drug smuggling operation while he was playing for Dutch giants Ajax.

Promes is alleged to have played a role in smuggling almost 1,400 kilograms of cocaine into the Belgian city of Antwerp.

On the basis of evidence gained from the tapping of the footballer's phone, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service has recommended that Promes be jailed for nine years.

Promes was not at the Amsterdam court on Wednesday to hear the prosecution demand the hefty sentence.

According to De Telegraaf, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service said: "Because of his [Promes'] absence, we will not get an answer to the question of how such a successful footballer allowed himself to be drawn into crime. He takes no responsibility for the facts and seems to consider himself untouchable in Russia and beyond."

The recommendation comes just seven months after the Spartak Moscow attacker was handed an 18-month jail sentence for stabbing his cousin in the knee.

Promes has always denied the assault charge, but was handed the sentence after avoiding charges of murder and manslaughter.

Quincy Promes could face nine years in prison.

Promes did not attend his trial for assault last summer, and seemingly has no plans to leave Spartak Moscow, who he joined from Ajax in 2021. The 32-year-old could end up avoiding jail time if he stays in Russia, as the country does not have an extradition treaty with the Netherlands.

The former Netherlands international is also reportedly trying to obtain a Russian passport.

Promes was linked with a move to Liverpool in 2017 after Netherlands teammate and close friend Georginio Wijnaldum joined Jurgen Klopp's side.

Promes has made 21 league and cup appearances for Spartak Moscow this season, scoring eight goals and providing eight assists. His current contract with the Russian club is set to expire in June.