Bad news for Karim Benzema: The verdict against the striker in the sex video trial was pronounced on Wednesday. However, he gets away with a black eye.
The verdict against the French soccer star Karim Benzema in the so-called sex video affair was passed on Wednesday: The Real Madrid striker was sentenced to a suspended sentence of one year and a fine of 75,000 euros.
“We are shocked by the verdict,” said his lawyer Paul-Albert Iweins after the verdict was pronounced in Versailles. He announced that he would appeal.
The public prosecutor had previously requested ten months probation and a fine of 75,000 euros for the national player. The defense lawyers demanded acquittal.
However, the judges consider it proven that Benzema was involved in the attempted blackmailing of his then colleague in the national team, Mathieu Valbuena, in 2015. The so-called sextape affair involved a video with sexual content that came from Valbuena’s mobile phone.
In addition to Benzema, four other men were charged. They allegedly threatened to publish the video to extort money from Valbuena.
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