Karim Benzema is left out of the Real Madrid sqaud to face Sevilla on Sunday, with manager Rafael Benitez stating that the French striker is not “100%”.
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Investigators are keying in on a conversation Benzema had with Valbuena back in July.
Marca said that Benzema has been convicted of several traffic offences in Madrid, and that five years ago he was involved in a case regarding an underage prostitute – though charges were not finally laid against him.
The allegations center around a purported sex tape, a source close to the investigation told AFP.
Mathieu Valbuena is dealing with a “delicate” situation but is “mentally strong” amid an alleged blackmail attempt, says Maxime Gonalons.
Karim Benzema has been charged for blackmailing France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
Real Madrid have to be at their best to beat a wounded Sevilla sideBenítez: “We have to impose our playing style on Sevilla”.
Benzema appeared before a Versailles judge Thursday morning after being held overnight.
Benzema returned to Madrid on Thursday after spending the night in custody in Versailles, outside Paris, charged with complicity to blackmail and conspiring to commit a criminal act.
It is not clear what was said between the two players, who are thought to be friends.
The caller did not specify a sum of money but said they should come to an arrangement.
Barcelona reportedly had a deal in place to sign Karim Benzema in 2008 before the planned signing was shelved due to worries over the influence of the Frenchman’s entourage.
Police then took over, posing as Valbuena’s business associate in later calls with the blackmailers, who threatened to release the video ahead of the Euro 2016 championships, which France is hosting.
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Valbuena has played 14 games for Lyon so far this season.
