Mathieu valbuena karim benzema biography

Benzema himself was implicated as a "middleman", according to prosecutors, because he approached Valbuena at a France training camp in October.

Born in Lyon to parents of Algerian descent, Benzema began his career with hometown club Lyon in 2005, contributing sporadically to three Ligue 1 title wins.

Joined Lyon youth football academy aged nine · Made professional debut in 2005.

Karim Benzema has been suspended from the French national side over the sex tape blackmail case involving his team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Mathieu Valbuena has given his backing to Karim Benzema to win the Ballon d'Or, despite their chequered history over the sex tape scandal.

Joined Lyon youth football academy aged nine · Made professional debut in 2005....

Karim Benzema: France and Real Madrid star convicted over sex tape scandal

France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been convicted for his involvement in the attempted blackmail of a former international team mate over a sex tape.

The footballer was sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term and fined 75,000 euros (£62,967) over his role in the episode.

The 33-year-old's lawyer said the player would appeal against the verdict.

Benzema, who had denied any wrongdoing, was not in the court in Versailles and is due to play for the Spanish club against Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol later in the day.

"This outcome in no way corresponds with the reality of events," his lawyer, Antoine Vey, told reporters afterwards.

Real Madrid have not yet responded to requests for a comment.

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

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