Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema to face blackmail trial over Valbuena sex tape scandal

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will undergo trial over his alleged involvement in the attempted blackmail of his former France teammate, Mathieu Valbuena, relating to a sex tape involving the Olympiacos star. Benzema has reportedly been accused of trying to extort money from Valbuena prior to France's international friendly against Armenia in 2015. The 33-year-old has been banned from playing for his national side ever since the scandal made headlines but Benzema continues to deny any wrongdoings. 

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Karim Benzema scandal: Real Madrid star to appear in court for attempting to blackmail Valbuena

According to reports from AFP, the Versailles prosecutor’s office, on Thursday, informed Benzema that he will be taken to court over suspected involvement in Valbuena's sex tape scandal. It is believed that Benzema is being charged with conspiracy to attempt blackmail for the scandal that took place over five years ago. 

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Prior to France's international friendly against Armenia in October 2015, Benzema was suspected of having pressured Valbuena to pay blackmailers who threatened to reveal an intimate video in which the former Marseille star featured. The investigators who charged Benzema believe he was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the blackmailers. However, Valbuena informed the police about the threats.  

The following month, Benzema and Valbuena were banned from playing for France and the duo came under heavy criticism from then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls. Reports suggest that four other people will also stand trial in the case but Benzema continues to deny any wrongdoing. 

Benzema's lawyer responded to the news later on Thursday and claimed that his client had nothing to be ashamed of over the case. "The decision to try him (Benzema) is absurd and is unfair cruelty but there is nothing to be ashamed of in his case because he has don't nothing wrong", he said. 

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The Real Madrid forward has also spoken on the matter regularly ever since he was prohibited from representing France. In 2017, during an interview with L'Equipe, Benzema accused Valbuena of "dragging the name of his family through the mud". Benzema has scored 27 international goals in 81 appearances for France but hasn't made an international appearance since November 2015.

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Image Credits - Real Madrid Instagram