When a Bayern Legend Pops Up in Epstein Files: Allegations, Not Guilty, Just Pages
10 February 2026
Background of the document dump
The U.S. Department of Justice released a fresh batch of documents tied to the Epstein investigations, part of the department’s commitment to transparency in Epstein-related records, and yes, they come with a lot of scrolling.
Ribéry named in Epstein papers
The released material spans millions of pages and includes thousands of videos and hundreds of thousands of images, noting mentions of numerous public figures, celebrities, officials, and businesspeople.
Among those named is Franck Ribéry, the former France international and Bayern Munich icon, appearing in document EFTA00079540.
Ribéry's name first appears on page 26, according to the document accessible on the U.S. DOJ site, in a context of unproven claims rather than any formal charges.
U.S. authorities caution that merely featuring a name in these files does not imply wrongdoing, as the files contain testimonies and statements that have not been judicially verified.
The Ribéry entry is part of a broader testimony with multiple claims, including alleged requests related to underage girls and ties to prostitution, but these allegations have not been examined in the Epstein file, and no new charges have surfaced.
It is also noted that Ribéry faced French inquiries in 2010 along with Karim Benzema over a potential minor-related case, but French courts dropped the accusations in 2014 for insufficient evidence.
The article underscores that no conclusions are drawn from this single mention and emphasizes that many names appear in the records without direct accusations.
Experts emphasize this does not confirm involvement, and the manner in which documents are released can reflect legal and political considerations.
Observers caution against drawing conclusions from a single name amid a sprawling archive.
Meanwhile, Ribéry's fame in Bayern Munich's history remains unaffected by this document footnote.
Punchline 1: If this Epstein dossier were a football match, Ribéry would still prove hard to pin down—offside in the headlines, but clean on the ball.
Punchline 2: In the theater of leaks, some stars appear in the program and vanish before the final whistle—leaving journalists to pretend they saw nothing.
Punchline 3: If you want the truth, hire Ribéry as your defender—his best skill is dodging questions and defenders at the same time.
