KARIM BENZEMA HAS been banned from playing for the French national team because of his alleged involvement in a sex-tape blackmail plot involving a team-mate.
The Real Madrid striker faces charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape featuring Mathieu Valbuena.
The French Football Federation president, Noel Le Graet, said Benzema would be ineligible to play for Les Blues until the case is concluded.
Benzema denies the charges.
“Today, Karim Benzema is no longer available for selection,” he said. “It’s a personal decision, I have informed [France coach Didier] Deschamps.
“Benzema will not be available for selection in March, nor for Euro 2016 if the situation has not evolved.
“The Benzema affair for me hurts, but I am sanctioning him because I am the president of the FFF.”