Convicted wife-beater to play top-level football for a month with an ankle bracelet monitoring his whereabouts

For the first time ever in Denmark – and possibly anywhere else – a professional football player will wear a device, which is designed to keep track of criminals, while participating in a match.

The Prison and Probation Service has determined FC Midtjylland’s goalkeeper, Arek Onyszko, can serve his 30-day sentence wearing an electronic ankle bracelet monitor.

He will start in goal for his club on Sunday in the team’s Super League match against Brøndby.

Onyszko was convicted in June of assaulting his ex-wife. He was subsequently released by his club, Odense, but later signed by FC Midtjylland.

On Thursday, a majority in parliament indicated it was in favour of allowing convicted criminals to serve the final six months of their jail sentence outside prison as long as they wear an ankle monitor.