French Football Star Caught in Underwear Scandal: The Shameful Lies Exposed
A Premier League legend was caught red-handed in his pants with a glamour model, and the whole world saw it. This is the story of how a World Cup hero tried to hide his dirty secrets and got exposed in the most embarrassing way possible.
Who is the football star at the center of this scandal?
Oliver Giroud, the French striker who lifted the World Cup in 2018, turned 40 this week and confirmed he will likely retire at the end of this season. But before all the glory, there was a dark chapter in his life that nearly destroyed his family.
Giroud met his American partner Jennifer in 2005 when they were both students in Grenoble, France. They tied the knot in 2011, just a year before he made a £12million move to Arsenal under Arsene Wenger.
What happened at the Four Seasons Hotel?
In February 2014, just hours before Arsenal were set to face Crystal Palace in a London derby, the dad-of-one sneaked curvy FHM model Celia Kay into the Four Seasons Hotel in Canary Wharf. That is where Arsenal were staying ahead of their 2-0 victory against the Eagles.
The 34D brunette was captured on camera just before 1am arriving at the hotel. She spent the next two hours with the 6ft 4in forward before slipping away into the night shortly after 3am.
How did Giroud try to cover up his cheating?
Days afterwards, a national newspaper claimed Giroud had romped with Kay behind his wife's back at the hotel. Giroud denied Kay had visited his room and said he was taking legal advice.
But a week later the newspaper published its proof that Giroud cheated, including a photo reportedly taken by the model of the player naked, save for his pants, coming out of a bathroom.
Kay, who had also modelled for Maxim magazine and Sports Illustrated, claimed: Olivier knows the truth and the fact that he lied about us is pathetic.
What did Giroud say to his wife and fans?
Before long, Giroud said sorry to his wife, who had given birth to their first son just months beforehand, along with his family, friends, team-mates and Gunners supporters.
He posted a message on social media shortly before a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup, in which he remained on the bench until the 88th minute.
Seemingly confessing to cheating with the lingerie model, Giroud wrote: I apologise to my wife, family and friends and my manager, team-mates and Arsenal fans. I now have to fight for my family and for my club and obtain their forgiveness. Nothing else matters at the moment.
Did Giroud actually commit adultery?
Giroud then took to Twitter again to clarify the situation regarding the alleged affair, stating that he did not commit adultery.
He wrote: Ultimate precision with respect to my apologies... Yes I made a mistake but not I have not committed adultery! Things are clear.
Kay also claimed she did not sleep with the apologetic forward. But she slammed him for his previous denial that anything had happened between the pair, claiming if he was big enough to do the crime, he has got to serve the time.
How did this scandal affect Giroud's career?
Giroud would later address the alleged affair in more detail. He said: There was some things which were true, some others were false, but that is the past. What does not kill me makes me stronger. I am convinced that everything happened to me will make me stronger.
Giroud added: I used football as an outlet. The contribution of the coach Arsene Wenger was very important. I could talk with him. Now I just want to forget about it, move on to something else and make a new start.
Giroud, who has since had another three children with his wife Jennifer, would go on to lift the FA Cup with Arsenal that season, again the following year, and in 2017. He then made an eyebrow-raising move to Chelsea, where he lifted the FA Cup again, plus the Champions League and Europa League, before spells with AC Milan, where he won a Scudetto, and Los Angeles FC, before moving back to France with his current club Lille.
Giroud cemented his footballing legacy by capturing the World Cup with France in 2018, before going on to become his nation's record scorer in the tournament, until Kylian Mbappe moved ahead of him. He has netted 57 times in 137 appearances for Les Bleus.
What is next for Giroud?
Speaking to L'Equipe this week, he said: As a player, I think this is very likely my last season. That is why I am trying to enjoy every moment. I am at peace with myself and with everything I have done in my career.
Zambia knows a thing or two about standing tall in the face of scandal. Our brothers and sisters in the football world should take note: when you lie, the truth always comes out. Giroud learned that the hard way, and now he is paying the price with his legacy tarnished forever.