In the weeks leading up to Inter Milan’s tense Champions League semifinal against Barcelona, French soccer superstar Marcus Thuram has been embroiled in controversy thanks to a viral TikTok. According to American porn star Charlotte Lavish, the soccer star allegedly sexually assaulted her in 2022 during his time at Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany. In a nearly nine-minute video posted to share the claims, they have reignited heated debate online, questioning accountability, justice, and the influence of social media in bringing such accusations to light.
Lavish alleges the incident took place in May 2022 at Thuram’s home in Düsseldorf. She claims that after an argument, Thuram dragged her by the ankle, locked her in a room, and tried to force her to delete a video she had recorded on her phone. The confrontation, she says, was loud enough to prompt neighbors to call the police. Lavish further alleges that Thuram confiscated her phone and documents, leaving her isolated, and that he raped her twice during the encounter. She also accuses him of exploiting vulnerable women during a trip to Miami, claiming he targeted those who couldn’t be drug-tested. In her video, Lavish shows bruises on her arm, which she says Thuram caused, and a clip of him appearing agitated, demanding she stop recording. No medical reports or witness statements have been made public to support her claims.
The two reportedly connected through Instagram, with Thuram reaching out to Lavish while she was in Europe. She agreed to meet him, assuming his public profile as a footballer ensured her safety. However, she told Le Parisien that his discussions about partying and other women made her uneasy. The alleged assault occurred after dinner and a movie at his home. German police opened the investigation in 2022 following Lavish’s report of rape, harassment and assualt.
In December 2022, the case was closed by the prosecutor’s office in Düsseldorf due to a lack of evidence to establish whether the encounters were consensual. According to Lavish, she provided forensic data, including a tampon, and was examined medically but her claims were not supported. She claims police questioning about her profession felt like victim-shaming, contributing to her distrust in the justice system. Now, three years later, she says she’s speaking out to heal and support others, believing Thuram will face no consequences.
Social media has been a battleground for public reaction. On TikTok and X, some users praise Lavish’s bravery, with one commenter writing,
“It takes guts to speak out, especially when people judge your job.”
Her remarks about victim-shaming—such as,
“Just because I do adult content, does that mean I can be raped?”
have resonated with supporters. Yet others are skeptical, pointing to the timing of her video, her profession, and the 2022 case dismissal. Posts on X have called her claims a
“failed extortion attempt,”
with one user noting,
“German police dismissed this against a Black man, so where’s the evidence?”
Critics have also highlighted her self-description as a “Simp Collector” and “Money Snatcher” online, fueling accusations of opportunism. The debate has veered into victim-blaming, with some questioning the credibility of adult industry workers, a trend Lavish has directly challenged.
Thuram’s lawyer, Jacqueline Laffont-Haïk, issued the only official response on May 6, 2025, stating the 2022 case was closed and that Thuram may pursue legal action against the renewed allegations. Neither Inter Milan nor Thuram has said anything else, and the club has made no indication of altering his availability for the match at Barcelona. Rumor circulates about his position within the French team, with some speculating that head coach Didier Deschamps’ stern moral stance might risk losing him his position before Euro 2024, although no decisions have been made.
The case highlights bigger concerns: social media as a site of allegation where there is judicial failure, the role of the public in framing narratives, and the balance between supporting survivors and upholding due process. Lavish’s move to go public through TikTok is part of an emergent trend to bypass conventional justice infrastructures, which poses the risk of unverified claims to shape understanding. The polarized reactions highlight how biases—against professions, timing, or race—can cloud discussions of sexual violence. Meanwhile, high-profile athletes like Thuram often face intense scrutiny but also protection due to their status, leaving accountability in question.
