Tuesday 1 December 2015 11:56, UK
The French prime minister says Karim Benzema "has no place" in the France squad at Euro 2016 in the wake of his alleged role in an attempt to blackmail Mathieu Valbuena.
The Real Madrid striker is one of the host nation's key players but is currently facing charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape. He denies any wrongdoing.
"A great athlete should be exemplary," prime minister Manuel Valls told Europe 1. "If he is not, he has no place within the France team."
The investigation, based on wiretap evidence, began when Valbuena took legal action after being contacted by a man claiming to possess an incriminating sex tape.
Investigators who placed Benzema under formal investigation believe he was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the blackmailers.
"If a minister was handed preliminary charges, he would no longer be part of the government," Valls said.
The French football federation has also joined the case as plaintiff.
"There are so many kids, so many youngsters in our suburbs that relate to great athletes," Valls said. "They wear the blue jersey, the colors of France, which are so important in these moments."
Preliminary charges under French law mean magistrates have strong reason to believe a crime was committed, and allow time for further investigation. The charges may later be dropped.
