Bayern Munich superstar, and French international Franck Ribéry, was named by the Zinedine Zidane himself as the 'jewel of French football.' Ribéry proved Zidane's words weren't all hype when he almost single-handedly knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League last week. A devout Muslim convert, Ribéry has been a regular transfer rumours to powerhouses like Chelsea and Real Madrid all year. But Ribery has repeatedly stated he will only play for teams that reside in warm climates, because of his wife's aversion to cold.
Quite the stand-up husband, right?
So it was with much shock that Ribéry was snared by French police in a prostitution investigation last week. But the real big shocker? The prostitute he was caught with was underage. Oooh, la la.
From the Toronto Star:
... soccer superstar Franck Ribery is front-and-centre in the blossoming sex scandal threatening the French national team.
Ribery had a recurring affair with (prostitute Zahia Dehar) when she was 17 years old – which could mean a child prostitution charge.
It’s legal to sell sex in France, but not if it involves a minor. If charged, Ribery faces up to three years in prison.
Ribery – a sublimely talented winger who could fetch as much as $75 million this summer in a player transfer – was the focus of French angst. The World Cup is six weeks away and France cannot thrive with Ribery.
Ribery has reportedly admitted to a nearly year long dalliance with the call-girl, Dehar. He has claimed that he believed she was of age during their relationship. They met in Paris, when Ribery was in town. He also flew her to Munich for meetings. Dehar said Thursday that Ribery paid $3,000 for each appointment.
In the French soccer player's defense, that girl don't look underage.
Yeah, she's do-able.