Friday 6 November 2015 12:15, UK
Real Madrid have given their backing to striker Karim Benzema after he was placed under formal investigation in France.
Benzema was questioned at a police station near Paris on Wednesday in connection with an inquiry into an alleged attempt to blackmail fellow France international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex video.
A statement from the Versailles prosecutor said the alleged crimes for which Benzema is being investigated - complicity in attempted blackmail and participation in a criminal conspiracy - could carry a prison sentence of at least five years.
However, Benzema's lawyer insisted his client was innocent and had offered Valbuena a bit of friendly "judicious advice" and what was said had nothing to do with blackmail.
The 27-year-old was freed on Thursday pending further investigations and he subsequently returned to Spain before taking part in an evening training session.
He then held talks with Real president Florentino Perez and the club released a statement in support of their player.
The statement read: "The Real Madrid C.F president, Florentino Perez, held a meeting with the player in which he gave him his full support and expressed his confidence that his actions were in good faith and that he is completely innocent.
"The club values and recognises the professional commitment, the displays of camaraderie with his team-mates and the impeccable attitude he has shown as a core member of the first team squad for the more than six seasons that he has been a part of Real Madrid."
Benzema is currently struggling with an injury and needs to prove his fitness if he is to feature in Sunday's La Liga game at Sevilla.
