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| Benzima |
French footballer Karim Benzema has been placed under formal investigation in connection with a sex tape blackmail plot involving another player.
The Real Madrid striker appeared before a judge in Versailles after being held in police custody overnight.
Police are investigating what part he played in an alleged attempt to extort money from fellow French international Mathieu Valbuena.
A source told AFP news agency that he had admitted involvement.
The 27-year-old star told investigators he had approached Mr Valbuena about the tape on behalf of "a childhood friend," the report said.
According to French media, Mr Benzema mentioned the tape to the midfielder during a national team training session at Clairefontaine in early October, ahead of matches against Armenia and Denmark.
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| Benzima |
It was unclear whether he was offering friendly advice or trying to press his team-mate to pay the blackmailers.
Euro 2016
The prosecutor's office has confirmed that Mr Benzema is now under formal investigation for complicity in attempted blackmail and participation in a criminal conspiracy.
When a suspect is placed under formal investigation, he or she is then examined by a judge, who determines whether there is sufficient evidence for the suspect to be charged.
If formal charges do follow and he is convicted, Mr Benzema could face a minimum jail sentence of five years, the prosecutor said.
Meanwhile the court has banned the striker from contacting his France team-mate, or any other people charged in the case.
Correspondents say the ruling exposes the footballer to a lengthy period of doubt ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament that France hosts next year.
France coach Didier Deschamps is due to name his squad on Thursday for matches against Germany and England, an announcement that will be closely watched to see if Mr Benzema is omitted.
Sources have told French media that a relative of Mr Benzema was contacted by the blackmailers, in an attempt to involve him in the scheme. There has been no confirmation from police.
Three other men have been placed under formal investigation after Mr Valbuena was contacted by someone claiming to have the video.
Following the media reports, Mr Benzema's lawyer Sylvain Cormier told Le Parisien newspaper that the striker played "no part" in the plot and wanted to clear his name.
It is not the first time Mr Benzema has been involved in a police inquiry. Last year, he and fellow France international Franck Ribery were cleared of accusations they had slept with an under-age prostitute, who later went on to become a reality TV star and fashion designer.
BENZIMA:
- Born in Lyon as one of 10 children in a family of Algerian origin
- Joined Lyon youth football academy aged nine
- Made professional debut in 2005, aged 17
- Recruited by Real Madrid FC from Olympique Lyonnais in 2009
- Played first senior match for French national team in March 2007
- Linked with a move to Arsenal in August
Born: December 19, 1987 (age 27), Lyon, France
Height: 1.87 m
Weight: 83 kg
Salary: 8 million EUR (2014)
Current teams: Real Madrid C.F. (#9 / Association football positions),
Parents: Wahida Djebbara, Hafid Benzema
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