January 23 – Franck Ribery is back in the news though this time nothing to do with controversially losing out in FIFA’s world player award.
Prosecutors have pleaded with judges to drop under-age sex charges against the French and Bayern Munich star and compatriot Karim Benzema and that the charges are scrapped.
Neither footballer is attending the trial concerning alleged victim Zahia Dehar, who they are alleged to have paid when she was aged 16 and 17.
Paying for sex is not illegal in France but underage prostitution is.
Jean-Julien Xavier-Rolai, addressing the Correctional Court in Paris, said: “It is impossible for the accusation to prove that Franck Ribery was aware that Zahia Dehar, a prostitute-turned-fashion model, was under 18 [the age of majority in France].”
Xavier-Rolin added that Benzema should also be discharged.
Ribery has admitted paying her for sex but said he did not know how hold she was. Benzema has denied having any sexual relations with Dehar.
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