By Andrew Warshaw
December 11 – One of the most bizarre cases of alleged foul play has led to Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema being suspended by his national team until an investigation into a blackmail case involving a sex tape has been resolved.
Benzema was put under formal investigation by a French judge last month in connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail international team mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex video.
“I have decided, it’s a decision from the president of the French federation and not from the executive committee or the ethics committee, that Karim Benzema cannot play for France until the situation evolves,” France Football Federation president Noel Le Graet told a news conference.
Le Graet said it was a “heart-breaking” decision but added: “I have decided that he is not available for selection.”
The 27-year-old has scored 27 goals in 81 appearances for his country but there is no guarantee the investigation will be completed before the country hosts Euro 2016 in June.
“As long as the judicial system has not decided that everything that has been published on Benzema is excessive, the federation will not change its mind,” Le Graet said.
“I urge the judicial system to speed up the process so those two boys can be together in front of the judge, and also at the French federation, so the sanction can be final.”
Benzema, who has denied wrongdoing, said on Twitter that he respected the decision while Real said they “regretted and respected” the FFF’s action, once again reiterating their “support and confidence in the player”.
Le Graet hinted that Benzema could be recalled if the sanction was lifted. “It would be an interesting development,” he said. “If there is a new element, the situation will be analysed by the ethics committee.”
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said last week that Benzema, who scored a hat-trick against Malmo in the Champions League on Tuesday, should not play for France until and unless he is cleared.
According to French media, Benzema mentioned the tape to Lyon midfielder Valbuena during a national team training session at Clairefontaine on October 5. Benzema told police he was simply advising a friend about what to do in a difficult situation.
Benzema’s lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, has again insisted his client is innocent, saying: “He took no part, I state this again – no part – in the blackmail or blackmail attempts.”
Former France goalkeeper Bernard Lama said the case was “terrible” for the players and the national team. “It’s not a good image,” he told BBC World Service but added: “We can play without Benzema, we have a lot of forwards now, those guys [Valbuena and Benzema] are important, but more important is the team.”
France’s next scheduled fixture is a friendly against the Netherlands on March 25 next year.
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