They once were the “golden generation” of Europe.
World Cup hosts and winners, European champions, and suppliers of some of the most glittering names in world football.
Michel Platini. Thierry Henry. Eric Cantona. Zinedine Zidane.
How things change.
Manager Raymond Domenech, widely considered a laughingstock, somehow survived as France only qualified for the Cup after an Henry handball allowed the French to draw with the Republic of Ireland.
Henry’s handball was so blatant — and France’s contrition so lacking — that most football fans around the globe were outraged. That FIFA declined to punish the team after the fact — or to replay the game — further fanned the resentment towards the French.
But karma, as they say, is a bitch. There’s surely some Irish schadenfreude now that the French national team has become embroiled in a sordid prostitution scandal that may see as many as three key players suspended from the Cup.
Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Lyon’s Sidney Govou have all been implicated in the case, which broke on April 10th when ten people were arrested at a Paris nightspot, Café Zaman.
The case is currently in the inquiry stage, and as yet no charges have been filed.
Prostitution is not illegal in France — but purchasing sex with underage women is. And police charge that the woman at the center of the case, named as Zahia Dehar, was 16 at the time of her liaisons with Ribery and 17 when she entertained Benzema (Govou is also alleged to have had a relationship with Zehar, but after she turned 18).
Under French law, that means Ribery and Benzema are facing serious criminal penalties: Up to three years in jail and fines in excess of $60,0000. It has been widely reported that Ribery has acknowledged the relationship to the police, but said that Dehar claimed to be of age. That doesn’t matter under the French penal code, which holds johns responsible.
Dehar, who has been merrily chattering away to the French press, says she has provided specific information on Ribery to the police, including that he paid her $3,000 to join him in Munich last year.
Photos of her and Ribery together have surfaced, and several witnesses have placed her at several major European soccer events. Dehar also claims to have made as much as $30,000 a month, which she used to support her parents.
While Ribery has been interviewed as a witness, Benzema has not. French authorities are traveling to interview him in Spain this week. Dehar is not facing any criminal charges.
Sex scandals and sports are hardly uncommon. England’s national team has been a particular gift to the tabloids with stories of drunken debauchery coming out virtually every fortnight. But this is all new for France, a nation which considers itself to be the spiritual home of the World Cup.
Following on the French team’s sub-par showings in qualification, and rumours that Domenech has been collecting large bonuses, the public has the knives out.
The scandal comes at a particularly delicate time for Ribery, who is married with two children. He is eyeing a big-money transfer away from Champions League semifinalists Bayern Munich this summer, and he has been linked with clubs across Europe, including England’s Chelsea.
Universally considered France’s most gifted player, Ribery is an essential part of the French attack, and he has helped lead Bayern to their most successful European campaign in nine seasons.
With Arjen Robben trolling the opposite wing and Mario Gomez in the center, Ribery has been an integral part of what is arguably Europe’s most feared attacking trident.
Benzema, who is single, has had a quieter season in Madrid after his breakout stints with Lyon, but he remains a solid asset, so much so that he is reported to be close to a move away from the Spanish giants to Manchester United.
But while France have a wealth of options up front — including in-form Nicolas Anelka, Louis Saha and Henry — they have very little in midfield. Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby, both with Arsenal, are emerging, but no one comes close to Ribery’s flair and vision.
Ribery, who was ejected midweek in Bayern’s 1-0 win over Lyon after a dangerous tackle on Lisandro, may not play again in Europe this season. He is suspended for the second leg this Tuesday at Stade de Gerland.
Given the FFF’s crass behavior in the past, it is more than likely that Ribery and Benzema alike will be named to the French squad, due to be set on May 11. But with criminal charges apparently a real possibility, Ribery may not be able to board that plane for Cape Town.
Jamie Trecker is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the Champions League and European football.
