Versailles court finds Karim Benzema guilty in sex tape blackmail case
Real Madrid and French striker Karim Benzema are ruled guilty in the sex tape extortion case. BBC reports that a judge has adjourned Benzema as guilty on the charge of conspiring to blackmail one of his French teammates Mathieu Valbuena.
The original case dates back to 2015 when at the French training facility Benzema pressured his friend to pay off the blackmailers who had found an objectional clip that featured Mathieu. Later the striker denied the claim on the grounds of helping his friend get rid of the video. Back then the case had caught everyone’s attention, and resulted in Benzema getting outcasted from the French National team. After a long enduring trial, the Real Madrid frontman made a return to the national side in 2020 and also won the UEFA nation’s league in 2021.
Benzema was not present in the court when the verdict was read, nor was Valbuena, who plays for Greek club Olympiakos. Benzema was only one of the five people put on trial, his co-defendant includes Mr. Angot, Mustapha Zouaoui, Younes Houass, and Mr. Zenati, were also deemed as guilty and will be facing jail sentence ranging from 18-month suspension to 2 and a half years in prison, reports BBC.
The Judge handed Benzema a one-year suspension and fine of $84000. Benzema’s lawyer said that they would appeal his conviction as they find the decision to be contradictory. While the French team has said that the suspension will not jeopardize Benzema’s position in the team. Real Madrid is yet to release a statement on the matter.
