Versailles (France): Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was charged yesterday in an extortion case involving a sex tape featuring fellow French international Mathieu Valbuena and both were omitted from the national squad.


Karim Benzema

A source in the investigation said Benzema had admitted approaching Valbuena about the sex tape "on behalf of a childhood friend" who himself had been contacted by blackmailers in possession of the sex tape, who were seeking to extort money. But Benzema's lawyer said the player was innocent and "has admitted nothing at all".