According to the AFP report, during a third interview in police custody on November 5 Benzema said that he spoke to his friend Karim Zenati about discussing the situation with Valbuena after Zenati was approached by the alleged blackmailers.
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That man, Karim Zenati, is reportedly in possession of or has access to a sex tape featuring Valbuena.
Cormier also suggested the media have not released the full transcript and have omitted key information.? You see him directly and you speak with him. “Don’t send anyone else”. Well, it’s your life, but I’ve warned you, eh?
Now if you want to sort this out, give your number, I will give it to him and you can take it up with him. I came to see you because I saw this video, I was told about it, I can not laugh with you in the dressing room and not tell you.
Benzema and Valbuena were not included in the latest France squad for friendlies against Germany and England. He will call his agent, he will say that they have the video.
It is the first time the former Chelsea midfielder has not picked Valbuena since he took the job in August 2012. “I think it’s a matter that could have been even more hard had he not done so”.
More damagingly, phone transcripts have now been leaked to the press which cast heavy doubt on the official Benzema version.
France win more points on average when both play (1.91 per match) to when they don’t (1.2).
On the pitch, they work well together. “We will not stop until we find out who is behind all this”. Whether it is mutiny amongst players or in this a scandal involving two players, the French have a habit of turning back page news into front page headlines.
“Whether it’s Mathieu or Karim we are used to seeing them wear the jersey and raise the quality of the team”. I have confidence in them.
But there is no date for the case to be concluded and French justice is not renowned for its speed.
Deschamps will either be forced to choose between two of his star men, or at least be unsure of their eventual availability next summer. Preliminary charges were filed against Benzema earlier this month. “Totally unfair on Valbuena, who’s an innocent party in all this, but that’s the reality”.
France coach Didier Deschamps has overseen four successive friendly wins this season and must try to keep the focus on the football for the games against the Germans and England at Wembley next Tuesday.
Benzema: They will piss all over him.
Recorded by French police on October 5. “Can you imagine if Deschamps excludes Benzema but keeps Valbuena?”
Afterwards we talked, we talked. (Valbuena asked:) ‘In the video, you see my tattoos?’ You see everything, fatso. I said to him, listen, no intermediary, no lawyer, no friend, no agent, no police, it’s not what you want.
“He is self-assured – sure of what he wants to do”, Domat said. A few people thought I was going there to live a golden retirement, for the money.
KB: But brother, brother. If he goes outside, he going to get tomatoes thrown at him. I told him: I’m here to help matters.
Zenati: Well, there you go, that’s good.
KB: But, no, but the colour all drained from his face. He said I know. I said to him: I have no idea where it came from. “I’m shocked. Honestly, I look stupid when I see all that”, he said. Now, you do what you want. “France will be looking to judge themselves and see where they stand, but they have impressed me a lot recently”.
Benzema then tells Zenati that Valbuena eventually seemed to come around.
Benzema: He said to me: Yes, but you what would you have done?
Zenati: When he goes to sleep, he’ll know you told him the truth.
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Benzema: There you go, I said to him that.
