Actualizado 29/04/2021 - 16:29

Christoph Metzelder appeared in court in Germany to admit that he possessed and distributed exploitative images of children.

The former Real Madrid centre-back broke his silence during the trial after a year and a half without speaking out on the scandal.

"I accept the punishment and I ask for forgiveness from the victims of sexual violence," said Metzelder, according to German media.

"I will have to live with this guilt as part of society for the rest of my life.

"I did not collect incriminated files on freely accessible websites, I saw preview images and took screenshots. I exchanged extreme fantasies in chats."

Metzelder's lawyer, Ulrich Sommer, stressed last week that the former Germany international is fully aware of his wrongdoings.

"He knows what he has done," Sommer told RTL.

"He also knows that it can be called a mistake and he knows that he has to face up to his responsibilities."

According to various German media outlets, the courts reportedly promised Metzelder a prison sentence of between 10 and 12 months' probation in the event Metzelder admitted to his wrongdoings.