Ribery reveals sex-scandal hurt family

France star Franck Ribery has revealed the hurt that the under-age call-girl scandal which has engulfed him and the French team has caused his family.

Questioned after his club Bayern Munich’s 3-1 win Saturday night over Bochum, Ribery told French television TF1’s Telefoot programme: “It hurt my family, above all those close to me. That’s all I want to say.”

The 27-year-old has been at the centre of a media storm since revelations about the human trafficking case, in which Ribery and his France team-mate Sidney Govou were called as witnesses, broke last month.

Ribery, who is married with two children, admitted having relations with the prostitute, Zahia Dehar, but said he did not know she was underage.

It is now up to the judge presiding over the case to decide whether or not to bring charges against him.

If charged and found guilty Ribery could face a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros (60,000 dollars).

In France a person under 18 is considered a minor. Sex with a prostitute under 18 carries a jail term of up to three years and a fine of 45,000 euros (60,000 dollars).