MADRID: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has the "total support" of his Spanish team despite being placed under formal judicial investigation on allegations of sex with an under-age prostitute, a source close to the club told AFP on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old was put under investigation on Tuesday on charges of having "solicited an under-age prostitute" after being detained by a vice squad but was released after questioning.

"We`re all united behind him," the Real Madrid source insisted.

An investigating magistrate charged Benzema`s French international team-mate Franck Ribery earlier Tuesday over his alleged relations with the same teenage call girl.

The magistrate`s indictment is the first stage of a judicial investigation that could lead to a trial and, if convicted, Bayern Munich star Ribery and Benzema face three years in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros (58,000 dollars).

Benzema is expected to participate in a training session with his Spanish teammates on Wednesday afternoon. The team have so far made no official comment on the case.

The striker joined Real in 2009 on a five-year deal worth between 35 and 41 million euros from Lyon but had a difficult first season and failed to make the France squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

BDST: 1651hrs, July 21, 2010