Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been charged for his role in the alleged blackmail of France international Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema attended a police station in Versailles, just outside Paris, on Wednesday morning, where he was placed under arrest as investigators established what role he had in the alleged attempted extortion.
After spending the night in custody, Benzema reportedly admitted his involvement in the alleged blackmail attempt when brought in front of a judge.
AS cites a report from French publication Le Monde that says Benzema has since been charged for his role in the affair.
Lyon forward Valbuena, a teammate of Benzema’s in the France national side, was allegedly the subject of an attempt to extort €150,000 under threat of the release of footage from a sex tape he filmed.
Benzema is said to have been approached by a childhood friend, who was approached by the alleged blackmailers, in an attempt to talk Valbuena into paying.
He then allegedly discussed the matter with Valbuena when the pair were called up to the France national team in October 5.
L’Equipe report that Benzema is under the terms of the arraignment not allowed to contact Valbuena.
The charge of ‘attempted blackmail, complicity and participation in the preparation of a criminal offence’ carries a possible sentence of five years, the French publication adds.
