Paris, Nov 24, : On Wednesday, a French court handed Karim Benzema, a striker for France and Real Madrid, a one year suspended sentence and a 75,000 euro fine.He was found guilty of complicity with Mathieu Valbuena’s attempted blackmail using a sex tape. The 33-year-old Benzema was among five people who were tried to extort Valbuena last month.On Wednesday, four of his co-defendants were also found guilty and sentenced to jail terms ranging from 18 months to two-and a half years.
Benzema did not appear in court in Versailles, a suburb of Paris, to hear the verdict.His lawyers, however, stated that they would appeal his conviction.
Sylvain Cormier, his lawyer, stated that “the reaction is ultimately an anger one to this judgement which is perfectly contradictory.” He spoke to reporters outside court.
The case dates back to June 2015 when Valbuena and Benzema were both at a French training camp.According to the prosecutors, Benzema pressed Valbuena at the camp to pay the blackmailers.
He had conspired to act as an intermediary.
However, Benzema has denied the allegations and claimed he was trying to help Valbuena get rid the compromising video.
After the scandal, both players had to be kicked out of their national teams.It also shocked the French football community.
Benzema surprised everyone by making a surprise return to the French national football team in May of this year.Benzema’s place in the national football team would not be affected by a guilty verdict, according to the French football federation.
Benzema, France manager Didier deschamps has called him back, and he’s been scoring nine goals in 13 games for his country.Real Madrid, his club, has also seen him score ten goals this season.They are yet to comment.
He is also expected start Wednesday night for Real Madrid against FC Sheriff Tiraspol, in the Champions League.
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