Benzema to stand trial in attempted blackmail case
Karim Benzema will stand trial for his alleged involvement in an attempted blackmail case targeting former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
Prosecutors in Versailles confirmed the development regarding the Real Madrid striker and four others on Friday (AEDT), according to reports in France.
Benzema, who denies any wrongdoing, was charged in 2015 in relation to the incident. He previously appealed against the charge but is now set for trial.
"The decision to take this to trial is absurd and unfair," Sylvain Cormier, his lawyer, said. "Benzema doesn't have anything to be blamed for."
Paul-Albert Iweins, Valbuena's counsel, told L'Equipe the decision was "the logical continuation of the instruction which perfectly established the participation of the various people".
The incident has since seen Benzema exiled from the France national team.
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