Video: Ribery and Benzema face potential prison sentence

Trial involving Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema over accusations they solicited an underage prostitute gets underway in Paris.

A trial involving Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema got underway in Paris on Tuesday, over accusations they solicited an underage prostitute.

The players, who also play on France’s national soccer team, were not present at the start of the trial

Ribery’s lawyer was asked why closed proceedings were requested -

Carlo Alberto Brusa, Frank Ribery’s lawyer:

” It would have been a whole ordeal to again expose his personal life, his family life, his family and his recovered equilibrium to this, an equilibrium that allowed him to have a fantastic year in football. And as well, we should think of this lady, Mme Zahia Dehar who today has a decent life with an extraordinary success in the fashion world, in the commercial world. So in order to avoid publicly exposing elements of one’s private life or addressing questions related to people’s sexual activities – so if that can be avoided, all credit to the justice.”

The accused players are facing a potential three-year prison sentence and a 45-thousand euros fine.