FFP Suspends Benzema Indefinitely Over Sex-Tape Blackmail
The French Football Federation (FFP) has suspended Karim Benzema indefinitely from France national team until an investigation into his alleged part in a blackmail and sex tape case involving his team-mate Mathieu Valbuena has been resolved.
The striker, 27, is facing charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an alleged extortion plot over a sex tape featuring Valbuena.
The French football federation president, Noël Le Graët, said it was a “heart-breaking” decision, but insisted the Real Madrid forward will remain suspended until the case is resolved
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“Today, Karim Benzema is no longer available for selection. It’s a personal decision (of mine), I have informed [coach Didier] Deschamps,” he told a press conference on Thursday.
“Benzema will not be available for selection in March, nor for EURO 2016 if the situation has not evolved.
“The Benzema affair for me hurts, but I am sanctioning him because I am the president of the FFF.
“I would have liked to have had a face to face with him… but the law does not permit me to do so.”
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Benzema’s alleged involvement in the plot has not yet been fully determined but investigators believe he was approached by a friend to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the alleged blackmailers.
Benzema told police he was advising a friend about what to do in a difficult situation.
But he was handed preliminary charges of complicity in attempted blackmail and participation in a criminal conspiracy by the judge in November.
Last month Valbuena broke his silence on the saga, claiming that Benzema indirectly persuaded him to pay money to prevent the release of a sex tape involving him and his girlfriend.
He told Le Monde that Benzema was not aggressive when contacting him but insisted “that I meet someone” to resolve the matter.
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far, The Real Madrid forward has denied any wrongdoing but if found guilty, could face a minimum of five years in prison.
