Benzema is suspected of having pressured his former France national team-mate to pay blackmailers who threatened to reveal an intimate video in which Valbuena featured. AFP claims Benzema will go on trial from Wednesday, October 20 to Friday, October 22. The striker's alleged involvement has cost him his place in the France national team since 2015 despite his consistent high-level performances for the LaLiga giants. When the story broke, Benzema faced a deluge of criticism and then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the former Lyon player had 'no place' in the national team. Benzema has notched 27 goals in 81 appearances for France after making his international debut back in 2007.

Source: Daily Mail March 30, 2021 09:47 UTC