November 6 – Real Madrid’s French international striker Karim Benzema has been placed under formal investigation in connection with a sex tape blackmail plot according to French reports – but his club are standing by him.
Having already been questioned, the prosecutor’s office confirmed that Benzema was being probed for “complicity in blackmailing and participating in criminal association with intent to organise a crime.”
Benzema’s lawyer insists he played no part in an alleged attempt to extort money from fellow French international Mathieu Valbuena. According to French media, Benzema mentioned the tape to Valbuena during a national team training session at Clairefontaine in early October.
French coach Didier Deschamps has left both players out of his squad for prestige friendlies against Germany and England later this month.
When a suspect is placed under formal investigation in France, he or she is then examined by a judge who determines whether there is sufficient evidence for the suspect to be charged. If formal charges follow and he is convicted, Benzema could face a minimum jail sentence of five years, the prosecutor’s office said.
Speaking to reporters after the latest development, Benzema’s lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, said his client was adamant he was not guilty of the charges. “Karim Benzema has nothing to hide,” Cormier said. “He supports his friend, Mathieu Valbuena, with all his heart. He took no part, I state this again – no part – in the blackmail or blackmail attempts.”
Benzema is a hugely important player not just for Real but also his country for whom he has scored 27 goals in 81 appearances. Apart from missing out at the 2010 World Cup, has been a mainstay in the team since making his debut in 2007.
On arrival back in Madrid and a meeting with club president, Florentino Perez, Real released an official statement supporting Benzema. “The club acknowledge and value his professional commitment, his demonstrated partnership and his unblemished attitude within the first team during the six years that he is part of Real Madrid.”
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