Ex-footballer Bosko Balaban jailed for failing to pay maintenance to ex-wife
Premier League striker Bosko Balaban has been sent to prison after he failed to pay financial support of £70,000 to his ex-wife.
The 45-year-old Croatian, known for his time with Aston Villa in the early 2000s, has faced legal consequences for failing to provide financial support to his ex-partner, Iva Radic, who held the title of Miss Croatia in 1995. Despite being named in the conditional sentence of one year with four years of probation in 2021 for overdue maintenance payments, he did not adhere to the agreed-upon timeframe.
Consequently, the former international striker served one year in prison in January, with four years suspended, as reported by Belgian outlet HLN. The court in Zagreb emphasized that there was «no escape from prison» even if the overdue payments were made.
Balaban, who was married to Radic for over a decade before their 2017 divorce, shares three children with her—two daughters and a son.
His notable football career includes a four-year stint at Club Brugge, where he scored 58 goals in 118 appearances. Balaban had three separate spells at Dinamo Zagreb, and it was during his first stint that Aston Villa acquired him in 2001 for a significant fee of £5.8 million at that time.
During his singular season at Villa Park, Balaban fell short of the anticipated success, managing only eight appearances without scoring.
Following this, he was loaned back to Zagreb in the subsequent season before making a permanent move to Belgium, where he found considerable success. Despite the challenges he faced during his time with Aston Villa, Balaban went on to have a prolific career.
After retiring from playing, Balaban transitioned into a role as an agent, representing players such as former Leicester star
