Benzema has no place in France squad: PM Valls

“If a minister was handed preliminary charges, he would no longer be part of the government”. If he is not, he has no place in the France team.

Benzema is now under criminal investigations after a French Judge ordered that the police investigate him for complicity in attempted blackmail and participation in a criminal conspiracy.

A version of this article appears in print on December 02, 2015 of The Himalayan Times.

“I hope it all turns out well for all of us, for Mathieu, myself and my mate (a childhood friend of Benzema’s also arrested in the case)”, Benzema told TF1 in extracts broadcast by the LCI news channel.

“I’m mad with myself for having talked that way on the phone, we went too far”, Benzema said of comments that appeared to mock Valbuena. “They wear the blue jersey, the colours of France, which are so important in these moments”.

Benzema’s laywer hit back at Valls.

France coach Didier Deschamps left both players out of his squad for the global friendlies with Germany and England – although Benzema was carrying an injury – as the issue rumbled on and Valls suggested that was the correct approach.

“So what’s the prime minister doing about presumption of innocence?” “The president of France?”

Benzema’s action ignited a wave of criticism on social media, prompting his lawyers to issue a statement in which they condemned “the scandalous interpretation” of the incident.

Rafael Benitez defends key players ahead of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey clash with Cadiz.

“Is it the supporter of Barca or the prime minister who’s spoken about a leading player of Real Madrid?” “I’m not playing a game”.