France opens door to Benzema after missing Euro 2016
Posted June 22, 2016 7:00 am
PARIS (AP) - French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has opened the door for striker Karim Benzema's return after the European Championship.
The Real Madrid forward is facing preliminary charges of conspiracy to blackmail in a sex-tape scandal involving France teammate Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema was left out of the Euro 2016 squad in a decision taken by Le Graet and coach Didier Deschamps in the interests of team harmony and avoiding media intrusion.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday at the national team's training camp in Clairefontaine, Le Graet said he hoped the case will be resolved quickly.
"He's not suspended for life," Le Graet said. "I don't believe in suspensions for life."
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