Police: Two players suspected of soliciting prostitutes in Sweden

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STOCKHOLM (AP) -- Swedish police say two tennis players are suspected of soliciting prostitutes before the Stockholm Open.

The two men were identified only as foreign citizens. Investigation leader Jonas Trolle told The Associated Press on Monday that they were detained as they entered a hotel in Stockholm early Sunday with their escorts. He said both players were set to compete in the tournament, which started Monday.

Organizers said in a brief statement that it would be inappropriate to comment because the investigation was ongoing.

Tournament spokesman Pelle Hjertquist told The Associated Press that the investigation wouldn't stop anyone from competing in the tournament, which has a 32-player singles draw and prize money of $600,000.

Trolle said a prosecutor in the case had issued a so-called summary punishment, which allows someone suspected of a minor offense to avoid a trial by signing a confession. It wasn't immediately clear whether the players had signed the document.

Sweden's prostitution law is highly unusual because it punishes those who pay for sex but not the prostitutes.

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