The judge investigating the blackmail case involving Karim Benzema has lifted a ban on him that prevented him communicating with Mathieu Valbuena.
The 27-year-old Los Blancos star is facing preliminary charges of conspiracy to blackmail after it emerged he was involved in an attempt to extort money from the Lyon midfielder to get rid of a sex tape featuring Valbuena.
When the investigation first started in the autumn, Benzema was not picked for the friendlies against Germany and England. He has since been banned from selection for France until the case is over, putting his participation in this summer’s European Championship in his home country in jeopardy.
With the ban on communicating now lifted, Benzema is able to contact his international team mate. However, he is still banned from contacting other people who have been charged in the case.
Preliminary charges in French law mean that magistrates believe a crime has been committed and can have more time to investigate further. Benzema has consistently denied any involvement in a blackmail attempt against Valbuena and has received the backing of his club and Florentino Perez in particular, who came out in support of the foward saying his is a good guy and wouldn’t knowingly get into trouble.
