Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema insists he has done nothing wrong after being accused of trying to blackmail France team mate Matieu Valbuena in a sex tape scandal.
The 27-year-old was charged last month by French police after an investigation suggested Benzema was involved in an attempt to extort money from the Lyon midfielder in order to help him get rid of a sex tape he features in. He is suspected of having pressured Valbuena into dealing with the blackmailers.
Since the story broke, Valbuena has already spoken, saying he is ‘more than disappointed’ with his international colleague. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has also waded in saying Benzema should not be picked fro France again as he is not a good role model.
With with reputation having taken somewhat of a battering in recent weeks, Benzema took time to speak to TV1 in his homeland to give his side of the story. And he insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
“I am being accused as though I were a criminal, of terrible things. What happened is simple, I found out that there was a video made of him and I let him know but he was already aware. I told him that I could help him through a friend I had in Lyon. We talked about it, about whether he had let his family know and if they knew, about whether he should let it come out,” he said.
He then went on to add he believes the media is on a witch hunt against him.
“They have spoken of blackmail, I have heard them say that I was seeking money and my friend was as well. That makes me crazy, I never spoke about money.”
