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The French soccer star Karim Benzema has been sentenced to one year probation for involvement in an attempt at extortion with a sex tape. In addition, the Real Madrid striker has to pay 75,000 euros, the AFP reported. “We are shocked by the verdict,” said the 33-year-old’s lawyer, Paul-Albert Iweins, on Wednesday after the verdict was announced in Versailles. He announced that he would appeal.
The verdict was two months higher than the prosecution had requested. The judges consider it proven that Benzema was involved in the attempted blackmail of his then colleague in the national team, Mathieu Valbuena.
The allegations go back to June 2015. Back then, when French midfielder Valbuena was called, threatened with the release of an intimate video featuring him. The focus of the allegations against Benzema was a private conversation between him and Valbuena about the sex tape a few days after the call.
Benzema had always denied accusations
Benzema is said to have tried to persuade his colleague to talk to a middleman. There was no talk of money, but that was clear, said Valbuena. Benzema had always denied the allegations, claiming he was just trying to help his former teammate.
The scandal rocked the French national team six years ago, and both Benzema and Valbuena had to leave the team. In addition to Benzema, four other men were charged. They have been sentenced to terms ranging from 18 months probation to two and a half years in prison.
