© EuroFootball.com
In France, a scandalous trial begins. The defendants in the dock are Franck Ribery, the defender of Bayern Munich, and Karim Benzema, the forward of Real Madrid. Both leaders of the French national football team are accused of using the services of an underage prostitute named Zahia Dehar.
F. Ribery is accused of knowing that Z. Dehar was a minor when he flew her to Munich in 2009. At that time, the girl was 16 years old, but the Frenchman claimed he did not know she was a minor, although he admitted to using the services of a prostitute.
K. Benzema and F. Ribery allegedly used the services of this prostitute (AFP photo.) At the same time, according to prosecutors, K. Benzema was also involved in sexual activity with a minor in a hotel in Paris, but the footballer denies any relationship with this girl.
When the scandal emerged in 2010, among the suspects were other French national team players - Hatem Ben Arfa and Sidney Govou. Charges were not brought against them after questioning.
The maximum sentence that both footballers face is three years in prison. F. Ribery's lawyer Carlo Alberto Brusa told journalists that they are one hundred percent sure they will prove their innocence and win the trial.
In France, prostitution is legal, and it is legal to engage in sexual activity with a teenager when they are 15 years old. However, prostitution of minors is prohibited.
Interestingly, after this scandal came to light, 21-year-old Z. Dehar became a celebrity and even a fashion model. Along with the well-known designer Karl Lagerfeld, she created her own collection of women's underwear and perfume under her name.
