Karim Benzema said he retains the support of France coach Didier Deschamps despite being charged for his alleged participation in a blackmail case involving international teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex-tape.
“I have had a message from him. He supports me, of course,” said Benzema of Deschamps in an interview broadcast by French television station TF1 on Sunday.
The Real Madrid forward was not called up for last month’s friendly matches against Germany and England, officially due to injury.
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However, the games came just after he was charged with complicity to blackmail and conspiring to commit a criminal act in relation to the sex tape and told that he was not allowed to contact Valbuena.
Lyon midfielder Valbuena was also left out of the most recent France squad, with Deschamps claiming that decision was made to “protect” the player.
Benzema risks up to five years in prison and his future as part of the France team looks to be in serious doubt ahead of Euro 2016 next summer, which is being hosted in France, although he remains hopeful of being able to return to contention in time.
“There are also players in the national team who support me,” said Benzema, who is France’s leading current international goalscorer with 27 goals from 81 caps.
The French Football Federation (FFF) has requested to become a civil party in the investigation to have access to the case files. FFF president Noel Le Graet will give a news conference on Thursday, two days before the Euro 2016 draw, in which he is expected to discuss Benzema’s international future.
Benzema put his off-field problems behind him on Saturday as he scored twice in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Getafe with a display that impressed coach Rafa Benitez.
“His two goals show that he is very important and that he makes those around him better,” he said.
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