France Suspended Karim Benzema Over Sex Tape Extortion Charge
By Ty Duffy
Karim Benzema netted a hat trick for Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. But, he may not be scoring for the French national team any time soon.
Benzema faces charges for allegedly acting as a go-between, in an attempt to extort France teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape. The French Football Federation has suspended Benzema indefinitely while the criminal investigation proceeds. Unless cleared beforehand, he will miss Euro 2016.
#BREAKING Football: France suspends Benzema from national team over sex-tape charge
— AFP news agency (@AFP) December 10, 2015
France, hosting the tournament, is expected to be among the favorites for Euro 2016. Benzema was the standout player for France at the 2014 World Cup, with three goals and three assists as Les Bleus reached the quarterfinals.
Benzema was caught up in an underage prostitution investigation in 2010, but was cleared of all charges.