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French nightclub hostess facing charges of pimping over 'prostitution ring' for top footballers

The woman accused was placed under investigation because of her jet-set lifestyle (file photo) - E+
The woman accused was placed under investigation because of her jet-set lifestyle (file photo) - E+

A woman who organised nightclub parties is to stand trial in France on charges of pimping and tax fraud, accused of running a prostitution ring for top footballers.

Stéphanie Viale, 40, denied the allegations and said she simply organised parties and introduced the footballers to her friends, some of whom were women who had appeared in reality TV shows or were Instagram influencers.

Most of the parties were reportedly held in the south of France, but also in London, Dubai, Geneva, Istanbul and Marrakesh.

Ms Viale was paid thousands of euros for each soirée by the bars or clubs where they were held, according to the newspaper Nice-Matin.

Accused of failing to pay tax on the proceeds, she was reportedly placed under police investigation because of her jet-set lifestyle.

Mario Balotelli, the Italian international who played for Manchester City and Liverpool, the French internationals Mathieu Valbuena and Jérémy Menez, and the Chelsea midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko appeared in photographs of parties posted on Ms Viale’s Facebook page, the paper reported.

Jason Denayer, captain of Olympique Lyonnais in France and a Belgian international, and Mbaye Niang, the Senegalese international, were also said to have been pictured.

There is no suggestion that any of the players engaged in or were aware of wrongdoing. French police have questioned some of the players, Nice-Matin reported, but as witnesses rather than suspects.

Paying for sex is illegal in France and clients of prostitutes are liable to be fined.

No women other than Ms Viale have been charged. Bernard Ginez, her lawyer, said she was paid by nightclubs to bring in top footballers, but the accusation that she headed a prostitution ring was false.

“She had friends and she brought them to the parties but they were not prostitutes. They were not paid to have sex, they were simply women who were happy to get a chance to meet footballers,” he said. “These are players who have no need to pay women.”

A number of the women reportedly went on holiday with the footballers and some were said to have been accompanied by Ms Viale.

Mr Ginez said she had acknowledged failing to pay tax on cash payments.  No date has yet been set for the trial, which is to take place at Grasse criminal court.