Trial date set for Metzelder on child pornography charges

By: The Associated Press Posted: 10:30 AM CST Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 Last Modified: 12:04 PM CST Monday, Feb. 22, 2021

Advertise with us

DÜSSELDORF, Germany - Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder will stand trial on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography on April 29.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

DÜSSELDORF, Germany - Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder will stand trial on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography on April 29.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/02/2021 (2029 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DÜSSELDORF, Germany – Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder will stand trial on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography on April 29.

Düsseldorf District Court said Monday it was proceeding with a case brought by the public prosecutor against the 40-year-old Metzelder, who faces 29 charges of attempted distribution of child pornography to another person, and one charge of the possession of child and youth pornography.

The court said Metzelder “contests the allegations. The main trial is to clarify whether or not the allegations made in the indictment are true. The defendant is considered innocent until the proceedings are finally concluded.”

FILE - In this Saturday, April 27, 2019 file photo, Christoph Metzelder watches under an umbrella prior the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany. Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder will stand trial on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography on April 29, 2021. He faces 29 charges of attempted distribution of child pornography to another person, and one charge of the possession of child and youth pornography. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, file)

The main hearing will begin on April 29 at the Düsseldorf District and Regional Court, with follow-up dates set for May 4 and May 10.

The trial will take place amid strict hygiene measures against the coronavirus.

Metzelder enjoyed a successful playing career with Preußen Münster, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Schalke. He made 47 appearances for Germany, helping it to second place finishes at the 2002 World Cup and 2008 European Championship. After retirement, Metzelder worked briefly as a pundit for broadcaster ARD.

Metzelder stepped down as president of hometown club TuS Haltern in September 2019 when the allegations against him were first made public. He denies the charges.