Karim Benzema was banned from representing the French national team today until the possible blackmail case between him and his team-mate in the national team, Mathieu Valbuena, is resolved.
Benzema was accused of blackmail and involvement in criminal activity, all of which were directed against Valbuena. It is alleged that Benzema and his accomplices blackmailed the player, claiming to have a video in which the footballer is engaged in sexual activity with a woman. The Real Madrid player denies these allegations.
The decision, due to which the Real star may not only miss friendly matches in March but also the European Championship in France this summer, was announced on Thursday by French Football Federation President Noël Le Graet.
"From today, Karim Benzema will no longer be among the candidates to join the French national team. This is my personal decision, and I have already informed coach Deschamps about it," he said.
"Benzema will not have the opportunity to play for the national team in March or at the 2016 European Championship unless the current situation is resolved by then," he added.
"Benzema's situation pains me, but I applied these sanctions because I am the FFF president," Graet said in his statement.
During his career, Benzema wore the French national team jersey 80 times and scored 25 goals.
