Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is set to face trial in October for his alleged role in blackmailing former France teammate, Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape, according to the Versailles prosecutor’s office.
Benzema, 33, is expected to stand trial from the 20-22 of October on the charge of complicity in attempted blackmail, with the forward suspected of pressuring Valbuena in 2015 to pay blackmailers who threatened to reveal an intimate video of his.
As per the investigators, the Frenchman was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the blackmailers, only for Valbuena to inform the police instead.
Karim Benzema will be on trial for being complicit in the blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena from 20th to 22nd October later this year – AFP.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 30, 2021
This alleged accusation on Benzema’s part led to a deluge of criticism from a number of quarters, including the then Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who stated that the striker did not deserve a place in the France team.
Generally considered as one of the best strikers of his generation, Benzema last played for France in 2015 and has so far made 81 appearances for them while scoring 27 goals.
Les Blues coach Didier Deschamps has maintained his blackout from the team.
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