Ribery returns to training after facing a malicious scandal
After the startling revelations of unsolicited s*x with an underage prostitute tarnished his image, a defiant Franck Ribery has returned to the football field.
The star French striker took part in practice session for German giants Bayern Munich who had a memorable season last year, winning two out of three competitions besides squandering the opportunity of winning the champions league in the final of the tournament.
Ribery took part in his first training session after he was placed under judicial investigation in the wake of the embarrassing s*x scandal that has put him under the spot.
The French Police department has been investigating the case and has included a prostitution ring in their probe, besides keeping the Bayern Munich winger for several hours at the Paris police squad headquarters.
The announcement was made by the Paris public prosecutor's office during last week.
If convicted the winger can face up to three years' imprisonment, besides a fine of 45,000 Euros, albeit a conviction hinges on proving the accused knew the girl's age.
Ribery's lawyer has claimed that the winger was unaware of the age of the prostitute, and hence indulged in his sexual escapade.
The prostitution ring in question claims that the girl was under 18 years of age at the time.
The French star was allowed a breather when Police postponed the hearing until after the soccer World Cup that was held in South Africa.
Circumstance only worsened on the field for him in Africa, as the 1998 champions crashed out in the first round of the tournament losing their last match to hosts South Africa.
The disastrous French campaign led to a public outcry after players and the coach were embroiled in an ugly fiasco that went to the parliament as the team was dumped out of the tournament unceremoniously.
Interestingly the fans of Bayern Munich were not bothered in the least with Ribery’s problems, adding that they were focused more on how their team would fare in the season.
The fans believe that the interest of the club is more important than anything else, as they showed keen interest in the pre-season training session.
"His private matters are private. They have nothing to do with the sport. If he performs well for Bayern that is all that counts," said one fan.
"That is his private matter. There he should really do what he wants to do. The main point is that he plays well, that is all I care about," said another.
"That is only a battle being fought in France and has no place here. I thought it was long over with, that it all transpired before the World Cup. They only played it up again after the World Cup. I don't see that there is a problem," added another passionate fan, insisting that controversies off the field should be left aside.
The players were watched over by their Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who was busy in strategizing for the team, perched at a balcony at the team's plush training headquarters.
Gaal hopes that his club can go all the way again this season and repeat the performances of last year, rather go on step better than the final of the premier European club competition, Champions League.
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