played an intermediary role in the Mathieu Valbuena
sex-tape case according to reports.
Karim Benzema has admitted to playing the role of an
intermediary in the Mathieu Valbuena sex-tape blackmail case,
according to alleged exerts - published by AFP - of the France
and Real Madrid striker's police hearing.
Benzema was charged by a court in Versailles last week with
complicity in an attempt to blackmail and participating in a
criminal conspiracy as part of an investigation into an alleged
plot to extort money from Lyon midfielder Valbuena.
According to the AFP report, during a third interview in police
custody on November 5 Benzema said that he spoke to his
friend Karim Zenati about discussing the situation with
Valbuena after Zenati was approached by the alleged
blackmailers.
"I had a conversation with Zenati on the way to talk about this
with Mathieu Valbuena," Benzema is quoted as saying.
On Wednesday, an alleged copy of a telephone conversation
between Benzema and Zenati was released, in which the
footballer reportedly told Valbuena "if you want the sex tape to
be destroyed, come see my friend in Lyon."
At his police hearing, Benzema described himself how he
supported Zenati when his friend was in prison for previous
offences and described their relationship as "close".
However, he denied acting with any intention to benefit Zenati in
this instance and said that the situation left him feeling "like a
jerk".
"I am embarrassed for my friend Karim Zenati," Benzema said.
"When he was released from prison, and even when he was in
jail, I took care of him. We are close."
He added: "The fact that Karim Zenati benefits [from] something
wasn't my intention. I didn't think. I am shocked, frankly, I feel
like a jerk when I see all this […] I didn't act with a hidden
agenda."
The case is ongoing and Valbuena is yet to speak to
investigators.
Benzema and Valbuena were not included in the latest France
squad for friendlies against Germany and England.
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