French Karim Benzema guilty of blackmailing sex tape scandal | France

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French international footballer Karim Benzema has received a one-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 75,000 euros (£63,000) for his involvement in a sex tape extortion scandal that shocked French sport.

A Versailles court on Wednesday found Benzema guilty of complicity in an attempt to blackmail French teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a video allegedly stolen from Valbuena’s mobile phone.

Benzema’s lawyer said the Real Madrid striker would immediately appeal the ruling, describing it as “unfair and not based on evidence”. Benzema, who has denied any wrongdoing, was absent from court due to sporting commitments, but his lawyers said he would be present if a second trial took place on appeal.

The scandal rocked French football in 2015 and investigations and the case have cast a shadow over the national team ever since. An investigation was opened in July 2015 when midfielder Valbuena, who then played for France and Lyon, went to the police after being contacted by an unknown man claiming to be in possession of an incriminating sex tape apparently recorded on a mobile phone. The caller did not specify an amount of money, but said they should come up with an arrangement.

Benzema, 33, was one of five people prosecuted last month over attempts to blackmail Valbuena. Benzema is accused of encouraging Valbuena, 37, to deal with extortionists and pay them. One of the mediators was a childhood friend of Benzema. Benzema’s lawyer denied in court that he was complicit in the blackmail, saying he only intervened to try to help his teammate find a solution, not to blackmail him.

The court found Benzema guilty of complicity in the targeting of Valbuena, who now plays for Greek club Olympiacos. On Wednesday, the judge said Benzema was “personally involved persistently in trying to persuade Matteo Valbuena to meet his trusted man”. The court concluded that Benzema showed “no sympathy” for Valbuena and that “to the contrary, very much” he acted “with a certain enthusiasm, even cheerfulness”.

Both Benzema and Valbuena lost their place in the national team in 2015 when the scandal broke and preliminary charges were brought. Valbuena was described at the time by his coach as not being in an emotional state to play. Benzema has been called up this year for the European Championship.

Prosecutors had told the court that Benzema had a duty to set an example as a national footballer with an “image of hope” and “moral values”. They told the court that he acted as a kind of intermediary to ensure that the extortionists got the money they wanted.

Valbuena told the court that he feared for his career. “I knew that if the video was shown, it would be complicated for me. I felt in danger and my first instinct was to go to the police.”

The court’s decision is unlikely to affect Benzema’s immediate future. The striker is one of the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or on November 29 in Paris after an impressive season with Real Madrid. The president of the French Football Federation, Noel Le Grat, had already said that Benzema would be allowed to continue playing for France even if he was found guilty.

Four other men in the case were sentenced on Wednesday to sentences ranging from suspended prison sentences to two and a half years.

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