France suspends Karim Benzema over sex-tape scandal

Paris France on Thursday indefinitely suspended star striker Karim Benzema over criminal charges of involvement in a sextape blackmail attempt against teammate Mathieu ValbuenaKarim Benzema PicAFPFrench Football Federation FFF president Noel Le Graet said the suspension would include the 2016 European Championship which starts in France in exactly six months unless the case is settled beforehand Le Graet said it was a heartbreaking decision to take the action against the 27yearold Real Madrid star who is the French teams top scorerKarim Benzema will not be selected until the situation changes until there is something new in the case It is a decision I took as president of the federation Le Graet told a press conference Benzema has been charged with complicity in the attempt to blackmail 31yearold Lyon midfielder Valbuena He has denied any wrongdoing but could face a fiveyear jail term if found guilty Valbuena has said the sex images were on a mobile telephone that was stolen Three men have been detained for the cash demand to have the tape destroyedEuro hopes in doubtLe Graet said that either the charges had to be dropped or Benzema who has scored 27 goals in 81 internationals and Valbuena had to reconcile If there is no change in March when the next internationals are held he will not play If there is no change for the Euro he will not play Le Graet declared Valbuena was left out of Frances most recent squad because of the affair but he is now free to play again the president addedLe Graets announcement came just two days before the draw for the Euro 2016 finals is held in Paris Le Graet said that the Real Madrid star was an extraordinary player but that the FFF had to take account of public opinion after facing strong pressure over the caseFrench footballs embarrassment has been increased because Benzema is alleged to have approached Valbuena at a national training camp on October 5 to encourage him to speak to the blackmailers one of whom was a close childhood friend Valbuena has said that Benzema indirectly urged him to pay Last month a French radio station gave details of a telephone conversation that Benzema had with Karim Zenati a childhood friend and one of the three alleged ringleadersBenzema said he told Valbuena he had to go and see the blackmailer but was also quoted as saying I give you my word that there is no other copy of the sextape Benzema has said he was just trying to help a friend in trouble He has also said he was the target of persecution over the case The scandal has brought chaos to Frances preparations for the Euros with even Prime Minister Manuel Valls calling for Benzema to be excluded from the national team French Football League LFP president Frederic Thiriez also said that wearing the blue shirt is not something ordinaryAn exemplary attitude must come before even performance if we want to win over hearts The French team is regularly shaken by scandals which feed a growing disillusionment among our compatriots Thiriez complained Benzema has said he has the support of French coach Didier Deschamps and others have given him backing French legend Zinedine Zidane said this week that Benzema should not be suspended A player like Benzema is an important player for the team he can bring so much to the team Zidane said In sporting terms to cope without a player like that can be complicated