Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has been found guilty of complicity in the attempted blackmail of former team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape and sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term
Karim is regarded as one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or award on November 29th in Paris following an impressive season with Madrid.
French federation president Noel Le Graet has already said Benzema would be allowed to keep playing with France even if found guilty
Benzema, who denied any wrongdoing, did not attend the trial in Versailles last month and was absent for the verdict however Benzema’s lawyers said he will appeal.
The four other defendants were also found guilty and did not appear at the court.