Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is charged over a sex-tape blackmail plot against his France global teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
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According to a statement from the Versailles prosecutor’s office, Benzema is under investigation for “complicity in blackmailing and participating in criminal association with intent to organize a crime”.
“Karim Benzema has absolutely nothing to hide”, lawyer Sylvain Cormier said.
Under France’s justice system, a preliminary charge means that investigators believe they have serious grounds for pursuing a legal case against a suspect and he can be formally charged at a later date.
The police investigation into the alleged blackmail attempt was opened at the end of July. Benzema’s judicial issues could have an impact on France’s hopes at next year’s European Championship, which France will host.
“He said that he agreed with a childhood friend about what he would say in order that his team-mate would negotiate exclusively with him”.
What is Benzema’s alleged involvement?
Deschamps said: “Mathieu has not been performing as well with Lyon, but you understand he is not in the best condition psychologically”.
Deschamps has left both players out of his squad for upcoming friendly games against England and Germany.
Marcelo and Navas, who is also a doubt for the match at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium because of a recurrence of a groin strain, were missing from training, as was Karim Benzema following his arrest this week. “It is not a declaration of guilt”.
A source close to the investigation said the player had admitted while he was in custody that he had spoken to Lyon midfielder Valbuena about the sex tape.
After spending the night in custody, Benzema reportedly admitted his involvement in the alleged blackmail attempt when brought in front of a judge.
Former France worldwide Djibril Cisse was previously released by police in October without appearing before a judge after being questioned in connection with the case, per Mail Online’s Peter Allen and Oliver Todd.
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For Benzema, it’s not the first time he has faced problems off the field. The two players were acquitted in the case that lasted three years.
