Great news for Franck Ribéry and Karim Benzema! The two football stars, previously embroiled in the Zahia affair, have been cleared of all charges. They were acquitted on Thursday by the Paris criminal court, along with Ribéry’s brother-in-law. However, the court handed down sentences ranging from three months suspended to two years, including one suspended sentence, against five defendants prosecuted for pimping.
Ribéry and Benzema were accused of having engaged in sexual relations with Zahia when she was still a minor. While Ribéry admitted to the allegations, Benzema consistently denied them. Zahia herself claimed to have had encounters with Benzema in 2008.
“Franck Ribéry was relieved by the outcome. Although this affair leaves behind a trail of destruction, we fought for a flawless acquittal. Mistakes can happen in life, but this should not be considered a criminal matter,” stated Ribéry’s lawyer, Me Carlo Alberto Brusa, following the news.
“From the outset, Karim maintained his innocence. This marks the end of a nightmare,” expressed Benzema’s lawyer in response to the verdict.
