French international soccer star Franck Ribery may be charged over alleged relations with an under-age call-girl, but says he did not know she was a minor, a judicial official said on Monday.
The case falls less than two months before Ribery, one of the stars of his national team, is due to play in the World Cup in South Africa.
The official, who declined to be named, said that Ribery had admitted having relations with the prostitute but says he did not know she was underage.
“It is up to the judge Andre Dando to decide whether or not to bring charges against him,” the source said.
Sources close to the investigation said police also questioned another France international, Lyon winger Sydney Govou, and that other players from the France team could be questioned in the coming weeks.
Judicial sources said the manager of the club and three others including a waiter had been charged in the case and were in custody.
If charged and found guilty, Ribery, who is married and has two daughters, could face three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros (US$60,000).
On Sunday, Ribery’s lawyer Sophie Bottai said the player was quizzed as a witness by police investigating prostitution in a case centered on a Paris night club.
The judicial official said on Monday that investigators had found evidence of prostitution involving minors at the club.
Bottai said Ribery was summoned by police to explain his relationship with an acquaintance who had connections with a call girl ring and stressed that no charges had been brought against him.
The police inquiry could not have come at a worse time for French coach Raymond Domenech and his players just 50 days before the start of the World Cup.
“This is yet another blow for the French team,” a source at the FFF who wished to remain anonymous said.
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