Former Real Madrid and Germany defender Christoph Metzelder was handed a suspended prison sentence of ten months after admitting to child pornography charges at a trial in Germany on Thursday.

The high-profile trial was set to run until May 10, but came to a conclusion in just one day after Metzelder acknowledged having shared graphic illicit images of minors online.

‘I obtained incriminating pictures that were freely available on the internet (and) took screenshots,’ Metzelder, 40, told a district court in the western city of Duesseldorf.

‘I shared extreme fantasies in chats,’ he said from the witness stand, in comments reported by AFP sports subsidiary SID.

Prosecutors say the 2002 World Cup finalist passed on 29 pornographic files to three women via WhatsApp, including one featuring a toddler in a ‘highly sexualised pose’.

Metzelder was seen leaving the court in Dusseldorf on Thursday after he was handed a ten month suspended sentence for admitting child pornography charges

Metzelder was seen leaving the court in Dusseldorf on Thursday after he was handed a ten month suspended sentence for admitting child pornography charges

Metzelder was seen leaving the court in Dusseldorf on Thursday after he was handed a ten month suspended sentence for admitting child pornography charges

The high-profile trial was set to run until May 10, but came to a conclusion in just one day after Metzelder acknowledged having shared graphic illicit images of minors online

The high-profile trial was set to run until May 10, but came to a conclusion in just one day after Metzelder acknowledged having shared graphic illicit images of minors online

The high-profile trial was set to run until May 10, but came to a conclusion in just one day after Metzelder acknowledged having shared graphic illicit images of minors online

Metzelder, who entered the courtroom in a grey suit jacket and a black coronavirus mask, had not personally addressed the charges against him in public.

He told presiding judge Astrid Stammerjohann that he had been interested in ‘transgressing limits’, not by the sexual images of children themselves, which in some instances depicted grievous molestation.

Metzelder said he had never taken part in ‘attacks on children and youths… despite the graphic comments in the chats’.

‘It only took place in a digital parallel universe,’ he said, fighting back tears.

The ex-football player said he had ‘serious moral guilt’ over his actions.  

‘I know the unspeakable suffering behind each of these photos. I ask for forgiveness on behalf of all victims of sexual violence’, Metzelder added. 

‘I know I am leaving a wound that may never heal.’ 

The judge said Metzelder had shown ‘genuine remorse’, adding that his fame meant the trial itself was also a punishment. ‘It is to be expected that he treat this trial as a warning and not commit any further offences,’ she said. 

Metzelder was part of the starting line-up in the finals of both the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008, going on to make 47 appearances for Germany (pictured in court today)

Christoph Metzelder arrives for his trial at the District Court in Duesseldorf, Germany

Christoph Metzelder arrives for his trial at the District Court in Duesseldorf, Germany

Christoph Metzelder arrives for his trial at the District Court in Duesseldorf, Germany

At the start of his testimony, he described his sports career and community service of which he had been ‘very proud’.

‘September 3, 2019,’ when the charges came to light, ‘marked a break with the past – professionally, socially and privately,’ he said.

Metzelder told the court that he shared the images ‘although I know what horrible suffering inflicted on children is behind each digital file’.

He said he would ‘accept the punishment’ imposed by the court and asked for forgiveness from ‘the victims of sexual violence’.

According to the case against him, 297 files with sexual content featuring children or teens were found on Metzelder’s mobile phone.

The trial is scheduled to run until May 10. If convicted, Metzelder could face a fine or a prison term of three months to five years (pictured: the former footballer arriving at court as police watch on)

The trial is scheduled to run until May 10. If convicted, Metzelder could face a fine or a prison term of three months to five years (pictured: the former footballer arriving at court as police watch on)

The trial is scheduled to run until May 10. If convicted, Metzelder could face a fine or a prison term of three months to five years (pictured: the former footballer arriving at court as police watch on)

Metzelder arrives for the first day of his trial in Dusseldorf. On the first day of the trial, the former football player admitted to sharing child pornography

Metzelder arrives for the first day of his trial in Dusseldorf. On the first day of the trial, the former football player admitted to sharing child pornography

Metzelder arrives for the first day of his trial in Dusseldorf. On the first day of the trial, the former football player admitted to sharing child pornography

The indictment states that between July 9 to September 1, 2019, he sent ten images to one witness, 16 images and two videos to another, and to a third person he sent one image.  

After hearing the indictment, Metzelder’s attorney Ulrich Sommer said: ‘This is not about indecision or moral arrogance, but about criminal liability, there are over 1,800 other cases of child pornography, there is a penalty order and no public hearing as here.’ 

Sommer last week said the former German national team player would ‘face up’ to the charges in court.

‘He knows what he has done,’ Metzelder’s attorney Ulrich Sommer told broadcaster RTL. ‘He also knows that it can be called a mistake and he knows that he has to face up to his responsibilities.’ 

Metzelder had been working as a pundit for Sky Sports Germany until he came under investigation in September 2019.  

Sommer said Metzelder is in therapy, to help him address ‘certain issues such as sexuality or dealing with women in certain situations’.

The lawyer said the former centre-back was ‘shocked at himself for having had this kind of double life’, but insisted his client is ‘obviously not’ a paedophile.

The former football player has said he will return his Federal Cross of Merit but claimed he was ‘still proud’ of his voluntary work. 

‘The day of the raid and reporting was a turning point in my life, since then I’ve been living in seclusion, have no more assignments, and can’t work.’

Metzelder was part of the starting line-up in the finals of both the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008, going on to make 47 appearances for Germany.

Metzelder fends off a Republic of Ireland player during qualifications for the 2008 UEFA European Championship

Metzelder fends off a Republic of Ireland player during qualifications for the 2008 UEFA European Championship

Metzelder fends off a Republic of Ireland player during qualifications for the 2008 UEFA European Championship

Christoph Metzelder playing for Real Madrid at the Commerzbank Arena on August 12, 2008 in Frankfurt, Germany

Christoph Metzelder playing for Real Madrid at the Commerzbank Arena on August 12, 2008 in Frankfurt, Germany

Christoph Metzelder playing for Real Madrid at the Commerzbank Arena on August 12, 2008 in Frankfurt, Germany

He played for major clubs such as Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in a career spanning 15 years.

He retired from football in 2014 and since 2006, Metzelder has run a foundation in his own name to support socially disadvantaged children across Germany.

The allegations against him came to light in September 2019 but he has not personally addressed them in public.

The trial is scheduled to run until May 10. If convicted, Metzelder could face a fine or a prison term of three months to five years. 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk

You May Also Like

Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga’s injury not serious; staff expects quick recovery for Athletic match this weekend

Eduardo Camavinga, a key midfielder for Real Madrid, recently faced an injury…

James Argent Struggles on Valentine’s Day After Split from Stella

James Argent, a 35-year-old former “The Only Way Is Essex” star and…

Ella Thomas and Tyrique Hyde Hint at Reunion on Social Media

Ella Thomas and Tyrique Hyde, the couple from Love Island, have sparked…

Baltimore bridge collapse: Maryland Governor Wes Moore speaking after bridge collapse

Maryland Governor Wes Moore speaking after bridge collapse – In the early…