french international quizzed over child prostitute

[derbydan]

Bayern Munich's France international Franck Ribery has been quizzed by French police investigating an affair of prostitution involving a minor.

"He was questioned as a witness - for us the matter stops there," Ribery's lawyer, Sophie Bottai, told AFP on Sunday.

Earlier a judicial source had confirmed that French investigators had questioned two French national team footballers as part of the inquiry.

One of the French players has admitted having a relationship with a prostitute but denied knowing that she was a minor, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The two players, who were not identified, were questioned by investigators working for Paris examining magistrate Yves Dando, the source said confirming a report by the M6 television station.

The investigation concerns a Paris night club, frequented by certain French internationals, which is suspected of employing prostitutes, the source said.

L'Equipe newspaper reported Sunday that a third French international player could be questioned in coming weeks as part of the same investigation.

According to his lawyer Ribery was summoned by police to explain his relationship with one of his acquaintances who had connections with a call girl ring.

"It was purely to do with this relationship (that he was quizzed by police)," Bottai told RMC radio.

No charges were brought against Ribery, she stressed.

The investigation comes just two months before the World Cup in South Africa where France, the winners in 1998, have been drawn with Mexico, Uruguay and hosts South Africa.

"There is no reaction to give on a matter like this," the president of the French Football Federation Jean-Pierre Escalettes told AFP.

"An investigation is under way and I have no information on that. At the moment it is not possible to make a comment," he added