The Real Madrid striker and French national team player Karim Benzema was sentenced this Wednesday to one year in prison, with suspension of the sentence so that he does not have to enter prison, and to pay a fine of about 75,000 euros (84,000 dollars) for extortion of another footballer.
Benzema was found guilty of being involved in a blackmail attempt in 2015 to his then teammate in France Mathieu Valbuena, who received threats about the publication of a video with compromising images.
The other four defendants were also found guilty and did not appear in court on Wednesday.
Benzema's lawyers indicated that they will appeal the decision.
Benzema during a Spanish League game on November 21, 2021.Fermin Rodríguez / AP
Benzema was convicted of notifying Valbuena of the consequences of not responding to the threats he received from blackmailers about a sex video.
In addition, he said that he could introduce "someone you trust" to handle the situation.
This conversation, held on October 6, 2015, made Valbuena suspect that Benzema was involved.
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Although the player denied any wrongdoing, the court found that he "was personally involved" in trying to convince his partner to meet with his henchman.
The case has marked the last sporting years of the player.
Following preliminary accusations in November 2015, he was removed from the national team by coach Didier Deschamps and missed Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, which France won.
Olympiacos player Mathieu Valbuena during a Champions League match against Manchester City on November 2, 2020 Dave Thompson / AP
Deschamps recalled Benzema ahead of Euro 2020, which was finally played this year due to the pandemic, and has been a regular on the team ever since.
Benzema did not attend the trial in Versailles last month and was absent this Wednesday during the reading of the verdict.
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The forward is considered one of the favorites to win the Ballon d'Or, which will be delivered on November 29 in Paris.
The president of the French federation, Noel Le Great, has said that Benzema will be able to continue playing for France despite the conviction.
With information from
The Associated Press
and
El País
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