Bay Ledger News Zonebill@blnz.comtag:www.blnz.com,2009:people/sylvain_cormiertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/09/08/amount_success_excuse_excess_e2a9

No amount of on-field success should blind fans to stars' off-field antics. Now that Wayne Rooney and Karim Benzema are scoring goals again for their countries, can we forget, even forgive, allegations that the English and French forwards paid prostitutes for sex?

2010-09-08T17:30:43ZAP NewsJOHN LEICESTERtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/07/21/Real_united_behind_Benzema_says_7933

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.

2010-07-21T19:37:28ZAFP Global EditionAFPtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/07/21/Benzema_denies_under-age_prostitute_allegations_7936

French striker Karim Benzema denies the charges of soliciting an under-age prostitute that have been formally made against him, his lawyer Sylvain Cormier said on Wednesday.

2010-07-21T16:31:21ZAFP Global EditionAFPtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/07/20/Frances_Ribery_Benzema_questioned_probe_0688

French soccer stars Ribery, Benzema charged with soliciting underage prostitute. A French judge issued preliminary charges Tuesday against soccer stars Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema for soliciting an underage prostitute ? the latest setback for a national team that returned from the World Cup in disgrace and disarray.

2010-07-20T20:05:22ZAP NewsPIERRE-ANTOINE SOUCHARD and SAMUEL PETREQUINtag:www.blnz.com,2009:2009/09/23/Frances_jails_toxic_grime_despair_6075

PARIS (Reuters) - When Marie-Christine Menaspa last saw her husband, Mickael Gerard, in a filthy, overcrowded jail in the French town of Agen, he said he was looking forward to joining her and their two children after his imminent release.

2009-09-23T14:49:34ZReuters US Online Report World NewsSophie Hardach