Karim Benzema confirms he won't participate in Europe 2016 due to sex tape scandal

France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema won't participate in this summer's Euro 2016 tournament due to an ongoing investigation of a sex tape scandal involving teammate Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema is being investigated for his part in an alleged plot with his friend to blackmail France team-mate, Valbuena. He posted on Twitter yesterday

“Unfortunately for me and for those who have always backed me and supported me, I will not be selected for our Euro in France...”

Then later through their official website French soccer federation informed Benzema that he would not be called up for this summer’s European Championship.

The French football federation (FFF) noted that its president, Noël Le Graët, met with the national team’s manager, Didier Deschamps, today to decide Benzema’s international fate for the coming Euro tournament.

See the FFF's press statement below...

'Sporting performance is an important factor but not the only one that decides whether a player is called up to the France squad. The capacity of the players to strive towards unity, within and around the squad, to be exemplary...are also taken into account. As a result, Noel Le Graet and Didier Deschamps have decided that Karim Benzema will not be able to participate at Euro 2016.”