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Karim Benzema on Tuesday in Kiev
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GLEB GARANICH / REUTERS
The three-day trial against professional soccer player Karim Benzema has begun in Versailles.
The 33-year-old is suspected of having acted as an accomplice in an attempted blackmailing of French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.
He was threatened with publishing an intimate video in June 2015.
Benzema's defense denied the allegations, according to previous reports.
The soccer star did not come to court on the first day of the trial.
His lawyers said professional engagements made it impossible for him to appear.
On Tuesday Benzema played for Real Madrid in Kiev against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
According to the media, Benzema faces a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of 75,000 euros.
Four other men have to answer for attempted blackmail.
Benzema was not nominated for the French national team for a long time after the affair.
Among other things, he missed the European Championship in 2016 and the World Championship in 2018, in which the French selection even won the title.
He returned to the team in 2021, but the team was eliminated in the round of 16.
kha / dpa / AP
