Karim Benzema was found guilty of being part of a criminal group that blackmailed his former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Karim Benzema has been given a one-year suspended prison sentence for blackmailing his former France colleague Mathieu Valbuena.
After being found guilty, the Real Madrid star has also been handed out with a fine of €75,000 for being part of the crime.
Benzema presented himself for the trial last month along with his former Lyon and France teammate Valbuena.
It happened after a friendly game against Armenia five years ago, that the Blancos striker was accused of blackmailing his national teammate.
Blackmailers threatened to post a sex tape in which Valbuena was seen unless they were rewarded with money. And Benzema persuaded his former teammate to pay to the criminal group.
However, Valbuena informed the authorities regarding the blackmailing and Benzema was held accountable for the crime.
Eventually, the 33-year-old was banished from the French team, but Didier Deschamps recalled his key striker before the European Championship in the summer.
Nevertheless, Benzema’s lawyer will appeal the current decision: “We are quite flabbergasted by this judgment. An appeal is necessary. He will be exonerated at the height of this appeal.”
Also, the Real Madrid forward has insisted that he was not involved in the crime at any time.
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