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Valbuena hits out at Benzema in sex-tape row
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MATHIEU Valbuena has spoken out for the first time against France teammate Karim Benzema, who is facing charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam that has rocked the national team.
The investigation, centering on wiretap evidence, started when Valbuena took legal action after being contacted by a man claiming to be in possession of an incriminating sex tape involving Valbuena.
Benzema’s involvement has yet to be fully determined. But investigators who charged him last month believe he was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the blackmailers.
In an interview yesterday with newspaper Le Monde, Valbuena spoke directly about Benzema’s attempts to pressure him, saying “I wouldn’t even do that to my worst enemy”.
In his first public comments on the scandal, the 31-year-old Lyon midfielder said he was “very, very, very disappointed” at the actions of Benzema.
Le Monde asked Valbuena whether the 27-year-old Real Madrid star Benzema had urged him to meet the blackmailers. “Incite, that means ‘you will have to pay’ indirectly”, Valbuena replied.
“He was not aggressive in his manner of talking, he did not talk about money concretely, directly. But when someone insists that I meet someone ... hmmmm.
“I have never met anyone who is going to destroy a video for free just because they love me! You shouldn’t treat people like idiots,” Valbuena said.
The scandal has rocked France’s campaign for the European Championships which the country will host next year. Benzema has been banned from meeting Valbuena and neither were chosen for recent France games.
Four men, including a friend of Benzema, Karim Zenati, have been charged and detained over the blackmail using the stolen sex tape.
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