The two France internationals face possible sentence of three
years behind bars if found guilty over alleged romps with
16-year-old
France internationals Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema
are set to face trial for allegedly soliciting an underage
prostitute.
The duo are set to face the charges along with eight others
after judicial papers were submitted by investigating magistrate
Andre Dando this week.
According to reports some of the defendants will be prosecuted
for "aggravated pimping".
The long-running case began in 2010 when Zahia Dehar claimed
Real Madrid striker Benzema paid for sex with her in 2008, when she
was 16.
Dehar also alleged Ribery flew her to Munich for sex a year
later.
Prostitution is not illegal in France, however, it is with
persons aged under 18.
Prosecutors requested in November last year that the case
against Ribery and Benzema, who have repeatedly denied the charges,
be dropped because they were unaware that Dehar was underage.
Dehar, who is now 20 and has become a celebrity in France since
the story broke, has admitted both players did not know her age at
the time of the alleged meetings.
Crime of passion: Dehar says Ribery paid her for sex when she
was 16
If found guilty, Ribery and Benzema could face three
years in prison or a £35,000 fine.
Lawyers for both players today revealed their confidence that
they would beat any charge against their clients.
Benzema's legal counsel, Mr Sylvain Cormier, told Le Parisien:
"There is other material in the record to prove the innocence of my
client. I feel it pays to be young and famous."
Ribery's advisor, Sophie Bottai, told the same publication that
she was surprised that Mr Dando had chosen to begin proceedings
given the advice of the prosecutors' office.
"This decision is unjust and also surprising in view of folder
contents and submissions of the prosecution," she said.
"But I remain confident for the rest of the procedure."
Ribery and Benzema have both been included in France's squad for
their friendly against Uruguay in Le Havre tomorrow.
Le Bleus coach Didier Deschamps, who is set to lead the national
team for the first time, refused to comment on the matter
today.
"I won't be commenting on it as it has a private aspect,"
Deschamps told reporters.
"It's in the court's hands. It will not change my demands about
players' behaviour on and off the pitch with respect to the French
team.
"I am concentrating on the essentials so tomorrow (Wednesday) we
see a France team that wants to go forward and wants to win."