Sports briefs

SOCCER

French stars face charges in sex probe

A French judge issued preliminary charges Tuesday against soccer stars Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema for soliciting an underage prostitute - the latest setback for a national team that returned from the World Cup in disgrace and disarray.

Ribery and Benzema were questioned as part of a probe into a suspected network of prostitutes that operated out of a Paris nightclub, a judicial official told The Associated Press. She was not authorized to be publicly named, according to office policy.

Real Madrid striker Benzema and Bayern Munich forward Ribery could face up to 3 years in prison and a 45,000-euro ($60,000) fine if convicted of paying to have sex with a minor. Both have denied any wrongdoing.

Prostitution is legal in France, but prostitutes must be over 18, and clients are liable if they are not.

Report: Maradona to keep job

Diego Maradona will reportedly remain as coach of Argentina's national team, a decision he is expected to announce next week after meeting with Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Haden new USC athletic director

Embattled Southern California athletic director Mike Garrett will be replaced by Pat Haden next month, and the school will return its copy of Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy in its ongoing effort to repair its reputation after last month's severe NCAA sanctions.

Incoming USC president Max Nikias said Garrett will be replaced Aug. 3 by Haden, a respected member of USC's board of trustees and an NBC football analyst. Garrett, 66, has been the Trojans' AD for 17 years, but he received criticism for his handling of scandals surrounding the football team and other programs. The NCAA hit USC with major sanctions last month, including a two-year bowl ban and scholarship restrictions.

SOFTBALL

Finch retiring next month

Olympic gold medalist Jennie Finch, 29, will retire next month, after games with the U.S. team this week at the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City and the rest of the National Pro Fastpitch season with the Chicago Bandits. She said she's retiring to focus on her family.

WNBA

Liberty prevails in overtime

Cappie Pondexter scored six of her 24 points in overtime in the visiting Liberty's 82-74 victory over the Connecticut Sun (12-9).- AP