France suspend Benzema until blackmail investigation concludes

Real Madrid‘s Karim Benzema controls the ball during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls said last week that Benzema should not play for France before he is cleared.

Benzema, who has been handed preliminary charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape involving Valbuena, has no right to meet the Lyon midfielder during the investigation.

Noel Le Graet, president of the French Football Federation, made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday afternoon and he hinted that the Real Madrid striker could miss Euro 2016 after allegations he acted as an intermediary in the Mathieu Valbuena sextape scandal.

“If the situation doesn’t change then he won’t be selected”, Le Graet said.

“I hope for the French team and for the player, it (a suspension) is not the decision that is taken”, said French legend Zinedine Zidane this week.

“A player like Benzema is an important player for the team, he can bring so much to the team and I only watch the sporting aspect”, said French legend Zinedine Zidane earlier this week.

Benzema has denied any wrongdoing although he has been banned from contacting anyone linked to the investigation including Olympique Lyonnais forward Valbuena.

But as Benzema is the national team’s leading scorer with 27 goals in 81 games, he also has supporters.