Karim Benzema: Real Madrid striker to stand trial in sex-tape case, says player’s lawyer

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will stand trial after being charged by prosecutors with being complicit in a conspiracy to blackmail his former France team-mate Matthieu Valbuena in a case linked to a sex tape.

Benzema’s lawyer confirmed the news on Thursday.

Investigators alleged that the 33-year-old, who has not played for France since October 2015, encouraged Valbuena to pay blackmailers in order that the tape in question would not be made public.

Benzema has denied any wrongdoing and a trial date has not yet been set.

“We are unfortunately not surprised by this decision, which is as absurd as it was expected,” Benzema’s lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, told Reuters.

“I am dismayed to note that one is forced to distort the elements gathered in the investigation to justify sending my client before the tribunal. We will explain ourselves before the judges of the tribunal to demonstrate this abuse.”

Benzema has scored 261 goals in 533 games for Real Madrid and found the net 27 times in 81 games for France.

Reuters