PARIS — Karim Benzema was indefinitely suspended from the French national team on Thursday because of his involvement in an ongoing blackmail case, throwing his international career into doubt.
The Real Madrid striker has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape involving France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
“I have decided that he is not available for selection,” France soccer federation president Noel Le Graet said, calling it a “heart-breaking” decision.
The 27-year-old Benzema, who denies wrongdoing, is suspected of playing an active role in pressuring Valbuena to deal with the blackmailers in possession of the tape.
France has two exhibition games left before the country hosts the 2016 UEFA European Championship starting June 10 — against the Netherlands and Russia in late March.
Unless the case evolves in Benzema’s favor, he won’t be part of the team, all-but ruling him out of Euro 2016 with France coach Didier Deschamps naming his squad in May.
“I leave a glimmer of hope if the case changes,” Le Graet said. “My wish is that this case diminishes and that these two France players can shake hands.”
Le Graet said he took the decision himself and then informed Deschamps, with whom he has a close relationship.
The suspension comes with Benzema in peak form, scoring five goals in his past two games for Real Madrid.
He is easily France’s best scorer with 27 goals in 81 international matches. Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is the next highest scorer with 13 in 45 matches.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ESPNUK
