Karim Benzema under ‘formal investigation’ over Mathieu Valbuena sex tape

Five years after missing the World Cup amid his involvement in a prostitution inquiry, Karim Benzema has been placed under formal investigation for conspiracy to blackmail regarding a sex tape involving his France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema, the Real Madrid striker perennially linked with a move to the Premier League, also faced preliminary charges of participating in a criminal group in a scandal that has monopolised French media’s attention. Few details of the case have been released, but investigators said they are trying to find out if Benzema played a role in an extortion attempt targeting Valbuena, and if he actually tried to blackmail the Lyons midfielder.

Benzema was handed the preliminary charges after being brought before a judge at a Versailles court following a night spent in custody. The Madrid forward, who has been freed pending further investigation, faces a maximum prison sentence of five years, the prosecutor’s office said.

Benzema and another team-mate in France’s national team, Franck Ribéry, were handed preliminary charges in 2010 for soliciting an underage prostitute. Both were questioned and, three years later, acquitted.

Benzema’s involvement in the sex tape case has yet to be determined, but investigators believe he was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary between the blackmailers and Valbuena.

“Karim Benzema will show his good faith in this matter as soon as possible,” said Benzema’s lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, adding that the charges arose from a question of interpretation. “He was charged by the judge who notified him that he was a suspect. It is not a declaration of guilt.”

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. Benzema was also placed under judicial supervision, meaning he cannot meet with the victim – Valbuena – or other people charged in the case. He can, however, continue to live abroad and travel freely, so Real Madrid should not be affected by the charges.

At least three other people have been handed preliminary charges in the case since October. The investigation, which includes wiretap evidence, started this year when Valbuena decided to take legal action after being contacted by a man claiming to be in possession of an incriminating sex tape.

In the same case, the former France international and Liverpool striker Djibril Cissé was briefly detained last month but released without seeing a judge.

Both Benzema and Valbuena play for France but because of the case, the coach Didier Deschamps will not be able to use both at the same time while the investigation goes on. Benzema’s judicial issues could have an impact on France’s hopes at next year’s European Championship, which France will host.

Deschamps has left both players out of his squad for upcoming friendly games against England and Germany. “The best thing is to let the justice system do its job,” Deschamps said.