In a sprawling release of documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has inadvertently drawn fresh public attention to a name not previously linked to the case: retired French football star Franck Ribéry.
The former Bayern Munich and France international appears in unclassified files made public in early 2026 under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a federal law requiring the Justice Department to disclose all unredacted, unclassified material related to Epstein‘s investigations.
The DOJ’s release, described as the largest yet, includes over 3 million pages of records, encompassing investigative reports, emails, court documents, videos, and images compiled over decades.
While many of the entries merely list names without context, others contain specific testimony, including a series of excerpts referencing Ribéry, that have sparked public debate and scrutiny online. These revelations first came to light in a post on Reddit’s r/soccer community, where users discussed the document and highlighted the portions mentioning Ribéry.
Ribéry‘s name first appears in the documents on page 26 of one file. Within the same document, a claimant describes an alleged altercation at a garden, where police reportedly intervened after Ribéry tried to strike the individual.
Later pages mention Sylvain Cormier, identified as a lawyer for fellow French footballer Karim Benzema, alleging that he and Ribéry sought underage girls at a venue, prompting police involvement. These passages are graphic and serious, yet it is crucial to understand the context of the files.
Context and controversy in the Epstein file release
Although the documents mention Ribéry and contain serious allegations, being named in the Epstein files does not constitute a criminal charge or verified wrongdoing. Hundreds of other prominent figures also appear in the release without formal accusations, and the DOJ itself has warned that many entries lack sufficient evidence or context.
Experts have noted that the files often include unverified claims and second-hand reports, meaning the mere presence of a name should not be interpreted as proof of criminal activity.
The release has drawn criticism for incomplete redactions and occasional exposure of sensitive information, raising concerns among lawmakers and victims’ advocacy groups.
Many have described the disclosure as “incomplete and poorly handled,” urging federal oversight to ensure transparency does not come at the expense of fairness or privacy.
For Ribéry specifically, these files do not represent new legal proceedings. In a separate incident, he was investigated in 2010 alongside Karim Benzema for allegations of soliciting an underage prostitute; the case was dismissed by French courts in 2014.
As millions of pages continue to be reviewed by journalists, researchers, and the public, the appearance of high-profile names like Ribéry highlights the difficulty of balancing transparency, accountability, and fairness.
While the Epstein files shed light on a disturbing network of abuse, they also illustrate the care needed to interpret unverified claims responsibly. The full implications for those named in the documents, including Ribéry, remain uncertain and are likely to unfold only over time.
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