Robert Pires is worried by the criminal proceedings
involving France team-mates Mathieu Valbuena and
Karim Benzema.
Former France international Robert Pires fears the sex tape
investigation involving national team-mates Mathieu Valbuena
and Karim Benzema could negatively impact the hosts' chances
at Euro 2016.
Real Madrid striker 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 former
Marseille team-mate Valbuena.
Valbuena is yet to speak to investigators, while Benzema's
agent Sylvain Cormier has protested his client's innocence and
said the France striker is "absolutely calm and beyond
reproach".
Both were left out of Didier Deschamps' squad for this month's
friendlies against Germany and England, with Benzema still
recovering from a thigh injury, while the France boss explained
Valbuena was "not in the best of conditions psychologically".
And Pires, who won the World Cup and European
Championship, says the saga could prove damaging to France's
Euro 2016 hopes.
"In my opinion the team is impacted by what's happening, by
this story between Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena," the
ex-Arsenal man told Omnisport.
"Now, we're not here to say anything about that, the justice
[department] has got the case, we have to let them do their job
and be patient and we have to wait for the verdict, then we will
be able to reflect on it.
"However, it's not the best preparation, even though these are
just friendly games against Germany and England. It's
especially hard for Didier Deschamps because the Euros are
six months away so it'll come fast.
"These two players are important for him, two starters, so
it's not easy. Honestly, it's not, and I hope that the team is not
too impacted by this."
involving France team-mates Mathieu Valbuena and
Karim Benzema.
Former France international Robert Pires fears the sex tape
investigation involving national team-mates Mathieu Valbuena
and Karim Benzema could negatively impact the hosts' chances
at Euro 2016.
Real Madrid striker 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 former
Marseille team-mate Valbuena.
Valbuena is yet to speak to investigators, while Benzema's
agent Sylvain Cormier has protested his client's innocence and
said the France striker is "absolutely calm and beyond
reproach".
Both were left out of Didier Deschamps' squad for this month's
friendlies against Germany and England, with Benzema still
recovering from a thigh injury, while the France boss explained
Valbuena was "not in the best of conditions psychologically".
And Pires, who won the World Cup and European
Championship, says the saga could prove damaging to France's
Euro 2016 hopes.
"In my opinion the team is impacted by what's happening, by
this story between Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena," the
ex-Arsenal man told Omnisport.
"Now, we're not here to say anything about that, the justice
[department] has got the case, we have to let them do their job
and be patient and we have to wait for the verdict, then we will
be able to reflect on it.
"However, it's not the best preparation, even though these are
just friendly games against Germany and England. It's
especially hard for Didier Deschamps because the Euros are
six months away so it'll come fast.
"These two players are important for him, two starters, so
it's not easy. Honestly, it's not, and I hope that the team is not
too impacted by this."
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