Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema is set to stand trial for “complicity in attempted blackmail” over a sex tape involving former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.
The trial will be held in October; a court official told sports reporters on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old striker faces up to five years in prison and a 75,000 euro fine in the case in which four other men are being prosecuted for attempted blackmail.
Benzema‘s sex tape dilemma rages on
He is accused of involvement in a plot to extort Valbuena’s money by threatening to make the video public.
He is set to be tried in Versailles from October 20-22, according to the court.
Benzema made 81 international appearances but has not been selected for his country since the affair came to light in 2015.
Valbuena, who was selected 52 times for France, received a call from a blackmailer who threatened to release the video and contacted the police.
According to the latter, Benzema told Valbuena that he could “introduce someone he trusted” to Valbuena to help him “manage” the possible publication of this compromising video.
It will be up to the courts to determine whether this exchange was friendly advice or criminal pressure.
