Benzema found guilty in Valbuena blackmail case

Real Madrid and French international Karim Benzema, has been found guilty of complicity in attempted blackmail of former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena

The Real Madrid forward has been found guilty of complicity in the attempted blackmail of former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape and sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term by a court in Versailles.

In addition to the jail term, he has also been fined 75,000 euros (£63,000). Although the court had made their judgement clear, lawyers for Benzema said the player would appeal against the verdict.

On the contrary, Benzema had denied the allegations labelled against him hence was not in court for the trial. He is confirmed by Real Madrid to be in contention against Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol later on Wednesday in the Champions League.

Whereas it is expected that the club would have a say on the matter, Real Madrid did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prosecutors had argued Benzema had encouraged Valbuena to pay a suspected group of blackmailers in order to keep the sexually explicit tape out of the public eye.

They said Valbuena received the first of several phone calls threatening to expose the tape in June 2015. Valbuena told the court it was clear the caller wanted money and the blackmail attempt left him fearing for his career and place in the national squad.

By: Elisha Aberiganya | Follow us on Twitter @activtvgh

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