Benzema accused of blackmail in Valbuena's sex tape case

Real Madrid star striker Karim Benzema was accused Thursday of blackmailing fellow French international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape and both players were omitted from the national squad.

A French judge has placed Benzema under formal investigation and is examining the striker's possible role in alleged attempts to extort money from Valbuena, said a spokeswoman for the Versilles prosecutor's office.

According to a statement from the Versailles prosecutor's office, Benzema is under investigation for "complicity in blackmailing and participating in criminal association with intent to organize a crime."

The 27-year-old Real forward, as AFP reported, has admitted approaching Valbuena about the sex tape "on behalf of a childhood friend" who himself had been contacted by blackmailers.

If convicted, Benzema, who appeared before a Versilles judge Thursday morning after being held overnight, would serve up to five years.

He was also banned from meeting the 31-year-old Valbuena, a midfielder playing for Ligue 1's Lyon.

Benzema's lawyer Sylvain Cormier, however, said the player was innocent and "has admitted nothing at all."

Just an hour after Benzema was charged, France coach Didier Deschamps said he was leaving both players out of his squad for friendly internationals against Germany on November 13 and England on 17.

Benzema has represented his country on 81 occasions and was a key part of the squad for last year's World Cup in Brazil. Endi