Karim Benzema Scandal News: Real Madrid Striker Charged With Conspiracy to Blackmail France Teammate Mathieu Valbuena
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was charged with conspiracy to blackmail on Thursday for his role in an extortion plot against France national teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
The Associated Press reports the 27-year-old athlete was brought before a judge after spending a night at a police station in Versailles.
"Karim Benzema has been taken to the court to appear before an investigating magistrate who will decide what happens next in the procedure," the prosecutor's office said, according to The Local.
Police are now investigating Benzema's exact involvement in the blackmail plot. Benzema is suspected of acting as an intermediary between Valbuena and those in possession of an incriminating sex tape of the Lyon midfielder.
According to a source in the investigation, Benzema may have approached Valbuena about the tape during the French national team's training last month.
Benzema is facing a minimum prison sentence of five years. He has been freed pending further investigation, but has been placed under judicial supervision, barring him from contacting Valbuena or anyone else involved in the case.
Benzema's laywer has denied the athlete's involvement in the blackmail conspiracy.
"Karim Benzema has absolutely nothing to hide," lawyer Sylvain Cormier said. "He is happy, satisfied even, to finally put an end to this tiresome controversy."
France national coach Didier Deschamps said he would refrain from using either player in upcoming matches with Germany and England, citing a recent injury to Benzema.
"After speaking with Karim on Monday I decided not to recall him as he has not recovered from his injury," Deschamps said at a news conference. "Regarding the court case, I am not familiar with that. We will let justice handle it."
Benzema, who is one of the premier players on Real Madrid, as well as the France national team, has been involved in controversies in the past. The center forward was accused of sleeping with an underage prostitute in 2009.
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