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Blackmail scandal: Benzema returns to Madrid, protests his innocence

Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema returned to Madrid on Thursday after he was charged for complicity in blackmailing his fellow team mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape. Both players were left out of the French squad for friendlies against Germany and England, plunging the team into strife ahead of European Championships.

Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema (C) leaves the court house in Versailles, near Paris, on November 5, 2015
Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema (C) leaves the court house in Versailles, near Paris, on November 5, 2015 AFP PHOTO / MATTHIEU ALEXANDRE
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"Karim Benzema has absolutely nothing to hide," hammered the international footballer's lawer Sylvain Cormier to reporters on Thursday.

Cormier spent much of the day trying to put out the fire caused by the indictment of his client for "complicity in an attempt to blackmail" and conspiring to commit a criminal act.

The charges carry a five-year prison sentence and a 100,000 euro fine. Benzema was also banned from coming into contact with the victim of the sex tape, Mathieu Valbuena.

A restraining order which has cast doubts on his future at the French national squad, less than seven months to go before the country hosts European Championships.

Both men were excluded from the team's upcoming friendly matches against Germany and England.

He "has played no part in blackmail," Cormier insisted. "Karim Benzema will show he is of good faith," he said, adding that "his friend Mathieu Valbuena is in his prayers."

The player allegedly admitted to talking to Valbuena about the sex tape when the French squad met for training last month, sources close to the investigation said.

But his lawyer claims the player is innocent and has "admitted nothing at all."

The Madrid star was released on Thursday after being placed under formal investigation. He then flew back to Spain, where he trained alone.

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez voiced his "full support" for Benzema, who is currently recovering from a hamstring injury.

Off the pitch this past month, critics claim he's unlikely to be rushing back into action anytime soon given his momentous week.

It is not the first time Benzema has been embroiled in a criminal inquiry. Last year he and fellow French international player Franck Ribery were cleared of accusations for soliciting underage prostitutes.

(With AFP)

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