Nicklas Bendtner will serve jail time after dropping appeal on assault charge

Nicklas Bendtner is set to serve jail time after dropping his appeal on an assault conviction. Getty Images

Former Denmark forward Nicklas Bendtner will have to serve a 50-day jail sentence after dropping his appeal against an assault conviction.

Earlier this month, Bendtner was found guilty of beating and kicking a cab driver in the Danish capital on Sept. 9. The 30-year-old Dane admitted to hitting the man, but said he had acted in self-defense after a quarrel over the fare.

Bendtner was sentenced to 50 days in prison and fined 1,500 kroner ($230).

The State Prosecutor of Copenhagen wrote on Twitter that it also abandoned its appeal after Bendtner's move, adding "the verdict is therefore final."

It was not immediately clear when Bendtner would serve his time.

Bendtner, a former Arsenal and Juventus forward who now plays for Norwegian club Rosenborg, has not been selected for his national team in recent months because of his poor shape.