Ribery, Benzema face trial over underage escort
Source: AFP |
August 16, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BAYERN Munich has given its backing to embattled France winger Franck Ribery, after he and compatriot Karim Benzema were sent for trial for allegedly soliciting an under-age prostitute.
The Bavarian giant's sporting director Matthias Sammer told German sports news agency SID that it was aware of the situation and "we will tell him that we stand by him and that he will get our best support".
An investigating magistrate in Paris on Tuesday ruled that Ribery, who has played for Bayern since 2007, and Real Madrid forward Benzema would stand trial with seven others over the affair, which broke before the 2010 World Cup.
During an investigation into call-girls frequenting a Parisian bar, Zahia Dehar told police that Ribery and Benzema paid her for sex while she was 16, although she said the players were unaware that she was not 18. Some of those facing trial have been charged with "aggravated pimping".
Soliciting sex with an under-age prostitute is punishable by up to three years in prison and a maximum 45,000 euros (US$55,000) fine.
Ribery's lawyer said that she was astonished by the magistrate's decision, after a previous judge had said there was no case to answer against the two French internationals.
Both men have been named in Didier Deschamps' side which will play Uruguay in a friendly match.
The Bavarian giant's sporting director Matthias Sammer told German sports news agency SID that it was aware of the situation and "we will tell him that we stand by him and that he will get our best support".
An investigating magistrate in Paris on Tuesday ruled that Ribery, who has played for Bayern since 2007, and Real Madrid forward Benzema would stand trial with seven others over the affair, which broke before the 2010 World Cup.
During an investigation into call-girls frequenting a Parisian bar, Zahia Dehar told police that Ribery and Benzema paid her for sex while she was 16, although she said the players were unaware that she was not 18. Some of those facing trial have been charged with "aggravated pimping".
Soliciting sex with an under-age prostitute is punishable by up to three years in prison and a maximum 45,000 euros (US$55,000) fine.
Ribery's lawyer said that she was astonished by the magistrate's decision, after a previous judge had said there was no case to answer against the two French internationals.
Both men have been named in Didier Deschamps' side which will play Uruguay in a friendly match.
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