French Prime Minister wants to remove Benzema from the national team

Manuel Valls is concerned that Benzema will become a bad example for young people, after the blackmail scandal with teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

"A great athlete must be a role model. Otherwise, he cannot think of having a place in the French national team," Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on radio. "There are many children and young people in the suburbs who look to the players as role models. They should remember that they are wearing blue, the color of France, which is very sacred at this moment."

Benzema is suspected of being involved in the sex tape blackmailing of teammate Valbuena. Not long ago, the French player was detained by the police for two days while the case was investigated. All recorded calls from the three blackmailers involved Benzema, as if the Real Madrid star was the mastermind.

Benzema's career with the French national team is at risk of being ruined. Photo: Reuters.

Before the scandal broke out, Benzema was considered one of the key players for the French team for the Euro 2016 campaign on home soil. However, in the two most recent friendlies against Germany and England, Benzema and Valbuena were not called up.

Benzema's bad luck continued when he played for Real. In tribute to the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks, the French national anthem was played at the Bernabeu before the start of El Clasico. As soon as the ceremony ended, Benzema made what was considered an extremely ugly act - he turned away and spat.

Benzema's lawyer had to explain and defend his client. Benzema then also posted a series of messages supporting the victims of terrorism on social media.

According to VNE