Karim Benzema 'unselectable' to French Football Federation and could miss Euro 2016

Karim Benzema has been deemed 'unselectable' by the French Football Federation over the sex-tape blackmail case involving team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Federation president Noel Le Graet said the period in which he will not be chosen would include the 2016 European Championships to be held in France unless the case was settled before the tournament.

Although it appears as though Benzema has been suspended, there is a difference between being banned and being discounted from selection processes in France.

The player faces charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape featuring international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema's case is not expected to be dealt with until at least March and Le Great said: "I have decided that he is not available for selection."

"I have decided, it's a decision from the president of the French federation and not from the executive committee or the ethics committee that Karim Benzema cannot play for France until the situation evolves.

"As long as the judicial system has not decided that everything that has been published on Benzema is excessive, the federation will not change its mind."

And the president of the FFF, who had previously supported Benzema, called it a "heart-breaking" decision.

The Real Madrid forward, who denies wrongdoing, is suspected of playing an active role in pressuring Valbuena to deal with the blackmailers in possession of the tape.

Spanish Football Gold