FFF: Ribery & Govou innocent for now

Lawyers for the two France internationals said Ribery and Govou had already been questioned and a police source close to the investigation said a third player should follow.

"The FFF wishes to state its attachment to the presumption of innocence principle and express its faith in the judicial process," the organisation said in a brief statement.

"The FFF has no access to the case's file and will make no further statement until the judicial process comes to a conclusion."

French media said players heard by investigators were clients of a nightclub in Paris's posh Champs-Elysees district that allegedly featured escort girls.

"Sidney came to see me in my office before the team left Lyon for Munich on Monday and his explanations were convincing," said Aulas.

"His lawyer has confirmed he was not involved and, obviously, I'm absolutely ready to believe him," he added.

Ribery is France's most popular player since Zinedine Zidane, who retired after his infamous headbutt in the defeat by Italy on penalties in the 2006 World Cup final.

Follow FFT.com on Twitter
Join FFT.com on Facebook