Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema banned from the French National Team

Karim Benzema has been officially excluded from selection by the FFF

Real Madrid stiker Karim Benzema has been officially banned by the French Football Federation. The French striker has been barred from being selected on account of his involvement in the blackmail scandal of Mathieu Valbuena. The two cannot meet as they’re on opposing sides of an ongoing criminal case.

Speaking in a press conference, FFF president, Noël Le Graët confirmed that Benzema would be barred from selection until March. If the blackmail case, currently in court, continues, Benzema will quite possibly miss the 2016 European Championships in France. Benzema’s future with the French National team is also under severe threat, as a guilty verdict would mean that the striker will never be able to play for France again.

Le Graët was quite forgiving in his press conference, leaving the door open for Benzema’s return if the striker was cleared of all wrongdoing and if the judge was satisfied that Valbuena was open to meeting Benzema again. Asked whether he was angry with Benzema, the FFF president replied, “Anger? No. We’re rather unhappy. It hurts my heart. He’s (Benzema) a good guy, but he has bad company around him. Some of his friends are a bad influence on him and Karim has been caught in the midst of things.”

The FFF President also informed the gathered press that French national team manager Didier Deschamps was in ‘full agreement’ with the FFF’s decision.

Despite the scandal, Benzema has support

Former French legend Zinedine Zidane is not one who is in full agreement with the decision, having previously said, “I hope for France’s and his sake that he’s not suspended from the [national] team. He’s a very important player for the team, strictly speaking from a sporting perspective. I hope that his personal issues get fixed”

In an interview with TF1, Benzema had previously stated that the media has been trying to destroy his image, saying “It’s my goal to play in the European Championship with France. I have always fought to get here and will continue doing so. It’s my desire [to represent France], and France will need both of us [referring to Valbuena]. I have no grudge with him. They [The media] have tried to destroy my image, but nothing’s happened. I’ll always be the same until the end.”

The Real Madrid striker was also supported by Florentino Perez & manager Rafa Benitez in press conferences over the last few days. Benzema hasn’t let his off-field troubles bother him on the pitch, as the French striker scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid romped to a 8-0 win over Malmo in the Champions League.