Real united behind Benzema, says Valdano

Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema, who is accused of soliciting an under-age prostitute, has the backing of the Spanish giants, Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano said Wednesday.

“He feels he is innocent and he will seek to prove it in the courts. We back the player until the final consequences because we believe in his innocence,” he told reporters.

Benzema, 22, and his France international colleague Franck Ribery were both placed under investigation by a Paris magistrate on Tuesday as part of a probe into a prostitution ring linked to a Champs Elysees nightclub.

Ribery’s brother-in-law was also charged, but all three men were later released.

Earlier on Wednesday Benzema’s lawyer Sylvain Cormier told AFP in France that the player denies having had sexual relations with the prostitute.

The 22-year-old player arrived back in Spain on Wednesday and he took part in an afternoon training session with the rest of his Real Madrid teammates.

Ribery and Benzema face three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros (58,000 dollars) if found guilty, but only if the prosecution can prove that they knew the prostitute was a minor at the time of their liaisons with her.

The age of sexual consent in France is 15 but it is illegal to have sex with a prostitute under the age of 18.

Benzema has failed to impress since he joined Real Madrid from French side Lyon last year on a six-year contract in a deal worth 35 million euros.