Photo: AFPAFP · 17 Oct 2016, 15:31Published: 17 Oct 2016 15:31 GMT+02:00Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane leapt to the defence of Karim Benzema after the striker's conduct was once again criticised in his homeland by French president Francois Hollande. Benzema hasn't represented his country since August 2015 after being caught up in a sex-tape blackmail scandal involving former international teammate Mathieu Valbuena. In a book published last week, Hollande claimed "morally, Benzema is not an example". Benzema's temporary suspension from playing for France has been lifted following Euro 2016 according to French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet. However, French international and Madrid defender Raphael Varane insisted he wasn't perturbed by the president's words.

Source: The Local October 17, 2016 13:07 UTC