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Event / Politics
Pierre Ménès Sexual Assault Case
French sports commentator Pierre Ménès faces criminal charges and a defamation lawsuit from journalist Marie Portolano, who published allegations of sexual assault in a 2021 documentary and 2024 book. The case involves multiple accusers and raises questions about accountability and harassment in French sports journalism.
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2026-09-07 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Sept, 06:06 UTC
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What happened
Marie Portolano accuses Pierre Ménès of sexual assault in book published March 2024
Journalist Marie Portolano published a book titled "Je suis la femme du plateau" in March 2024 in which she describes sexual assault allegations against sports commentator Pierre Ménès. In the book, she alleges that Ménès lifted her skirt and touched her buttocks on the set of "Canal Football Club" in August 2016, an incident occurring off-air but in front of the show's audience. She also claims Ménès enjoyed a form of sexual entitlement on Canal+ premises, stating he touched women without their consent while supervisors witnessed these acts.
Portolano did not file criminal complaint against Ménès but expressed concern about ensuing backlash
Marie Portolano did not pursue criminal charges against Pierre Ménès. Following the 2021 documentary, she criticized what she described as a 'witch hunt' against Ménès, stating that he should not be held solely responsible for all sexism in France.
Pierre Ménès received liver and kidney transplants in December 2016
Pierre Ménès underwent a double transplant operation, receiving both a liver and kidney transplant, in December 2016. He states that at the time of the alleged 2016 incident with Portolano, he was suffering from encephalopathy caused by liver dysfunction, which resulted in memory impairment.
Pierre Ménès sentenced to two months suspended prison for 2018 sexual assault
In 2023, Pierre Ménès was convicted and sentenced to two months suspended imprisonment for a sexual assault that occurred in 2018 at a Nike store. He was acquitted of two other accusations at the same trial.
Defamation trial of Marie Portolano scheduled for September 7, 2025
Journalist Marie Portolano and publishing house Stock are scheduled to be judged by the 17th correctional chamber of Paris's judicial tribunal on Monday, September 7, 2025, in the defamation lawsuit filed by Pierre Ménès. The trial concerns statements Portolano made in her book about Ménès, in which he is identifiable but not explicitly named.
Documentary 'Je ne suis pas une salope, je suis une journaliste' broadcast in spring 2021
Sports journalist Marie Portolano released a documentary titled "Je ne suis pas une salope, je suis une journaliste" (I am not a slut, I am a journalist) in spring 2021, which documented 40 years of struggle for parity in sports journalism. The documentary included allegations of sexual misconduct against Pierre Ménès, including footage of Portolano confronting Ménès about lifting her skirt in 2016. The footage had been cut by Canal+ during editing but was later unearthed by media outlet Les Jours.
Pierre Ménès apologizes to multiple women in March 2021
On the set of 'Touche pas à mon poste' in March 2021, the day after the documentary broadcast, Pierre Ménès stated he felt 'deep regrets' regarding his conduct toward Portolano, Francesca Antoniotti, and Isabelle Moreau. These apologies covered non-consensual kissing incidents with Antoniotti (2012 and 2016) and Moreau (2012), in addition to the allegations from Portolano.
Pierre Ménès files defamation lawsuit against Marie Portolano over book allegations
Sports commentator Pierre Ménès filed a defamation lawsuit against journalist Marie Portolano and publishing house Stock over statements in her March 2024 book "Je suis la femme du plateau." Ménès denies the allegations, claiming he has no memory of the incidents described and disputes that he confessed to Portolano as she alleges in the book. He states he was suffering from encephalopathy due to liver dysfunction at the time of the alleged 2016 incident, which caused memory problems.
Canal+ terminates 12-year collaboration with Pierre Ménès following documentary broadcast
Following the spring 2021 broadcast of Portolano's documentary exposing sexual misconduct allegations, Canal+ ended its nearly 12-year professional relationship with sports commentator Pierre Ménès. The network had previously been his employer at the Canal Football Club program.
Canal+ internal investigation finds seven people reported Ménès misconduct
Following the 2021 documentary allegations, Canal+ conducted an internal investigation during which seven individuals reported being victims of sexist behavior or inappropriate conduct by Pierre Ménès. This investigation led to a report to the Nanterre labor inspection office, which subsequently referred Ménès to the Nanterre prosecutor's office for criminal charges.
Marie Portolano now hosts 'La Maison des Maternelles' on France 2
Marie Portolano, age 40, currently works as a host for the program 'La Maison des Maternelles' on France 2, part of France Télévisions group. Previously, she worked for four seasons on Canal Football Club where Pierre Ménès was a prominent commentator.
Criminal trial of Pierre Ménès scheduled for November 16, 2025
Pierre Ménès is scheduled to be tried on November 16, 2025, at Nanterre's judicial tribunal for sexual assault charges related to three incidents: lifting journalist Marie Portolano's skirt and touching her buttocks in August 2016, kissing broadcaster Francesca Antoniotti without consent in 2016, and sexual assault involving a makeup artist. These charges stem from an internal investigation at Canal+ following allegations raised in Portolano's 2021 documentary.
Journalists' collective denounces victimhood inversion in August 2025
Following the announcement in August 2025 that journalist Marie Portolano was being examined for defamation charges, a collective of journalists issued a statement denouncing what they called an "inversion of victimhood," arguing that instead of a woman's testimony about patriarchal violence being heard, she was being targeted with legal action.
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2 alternative perspectives
Ménès defamation trial set for September; criminal trial scheduled November
Two trials scheduled: defamation hearing September 7, 2025; criminal trial November 16, 2025.
Ménès faces fallout after assault allegations and court conviction emerge
Ménès faced sexual assault accusations, lost his Canal+ role, and received a suspended sentence.