Jacquet blasts media´s Ribery ´manhunt´

Former World Cup-winning France coach Aime Jacquet said on Friday that Franck Ribery’s private life had been “thrown to the dogs” after he was identified in an under-age sex scandal.

The Bayern Munich winger was interviewed by police in April and admitted to having had relations with a call-girl when she was 17 without knowing she was under the legal age for prostitution in France, which is 18.

“I’m disappointed that his private life has been thrown to the dogs, particularly in our society,” said Jacquet, who led France to the only World Cup triumph in their history on home soil in 1998.

“It’s hypocritical as well. Come on, please. If we asked the same question of certain people, if we asked them how they behaved, they wouldn’t like it.

“There was a problem, but it’s his own problem. It’s logical that we talk about it, but putting it on the front page is beyond me.

“I’m extremely disappointed that the sporting newspapers jumped on it like that. I thought we talked about football.

“I don’t know Franck Ribery, but I met him a little while ago and he went out of his way to greet me, which pleased me.

“He talked to me with lots of passion about football, Bayern, the France team… He doesn’t deserve such a manhunt, it’s been very hard.

“But at the World Cup he’ll be able to get his revenge on the pitch, which will be the best response.”

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

The 27-year-old, who is married with two children, could face a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros if charged and found guilty.

He is nonetheless likely to be named in France’s squad for the World Cup, which will be revealed by coach Raymond Domenech on May 11.

France have been drawn alongside Mexico, Uruguay and hosts South Africa in Group A at the World Cup, which begins on June 11.