The sex tape scandal that has engulfed the French football squad looks like it is to continue into 2016.
Yesterday, French newspaper L'Equipe published a transcript of a phone call between Real Madrid star Karim Benzema and a man named Karim Zenati.
In it, it is revealed that Zentai allegedly has possession of a sex tape belonging to Benzema's international team mate Mathieu Valbuena.
The transcript suggest that the role played by Benzema in the scheme was more involved than earlier reports suggested, and he may have been acting as a form of middle man between Zenati and Valbuena.
Benzema: I spoke to him about his family, I said that nothing can be done about rumours, that I don’t give a shit [about them], I went on to say to him. I said to him that now if someone releases a photo, a video like that. That for me that’s absolutely nothing but your mother, your father are going to see your wife or I don’t know who. Look, after that he was thinking, thinking. I said to him that in any case he should do whatever he wants. I’m with the French national team until Sunday, if you give me your number, I’ll give it to him, I’ll give it to my friend. He will come and see you in Lyon, you’ll discuss it with him, though he didn’t want to. Well, it’s your life, but I’ve warned you, eh?
Zenati: That’s good, brother, you’ve done really well.
Benzema: You’ve got to go, I told him. After that I don’t know what he’s going to do. He’ll call his agent, he’ll say they have the video. I said to him, listen, no intermediary, no lawyer, no friend, no agent, no police, it’s not what you want.
The story comes as France is preparing to host the European Championships next year and is seen as a viable contender to win the trophy under Didier Deschamps. Benzema remains under criminal investigation over the alleged blackmail and cannot be in the same place at the same time as Valbuena. Both men were omitted from France's squad for forthcoming friendlies with Germany and England.
If the case continues to run until next summer, the Real Madrid star may be left out of the French squad. Only weeks ago it would have been hard to fathom a French side without Benzema leading the attack, but they may need to start planning for life without the striker.
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