Friday 11 March 2016 13:57, UK
France striker Karim Benzema is available for Euro 2016 after being cleared to contact Mathieu Valbuena by French court.
The door has been opened for the Real Madrid striker to return to the international setup, having been under investigation since November in relation to an alleged blackmail attempt against Lyon midfielder Valbuena.
As part of the conditions of Benzema being released from custody, a legal order was put in place banning Benzema from seeing or contacting Valbuena, meaning he has been unavailable for international duty since December.
A court on Friday eased the legal restriction, meaning Benzema - who denies any wrongdoing - can once again return to the international fold. The ban was initially due to stand until all court proceedings had ended.
"The appeal court of Versailles confirmed the decision of the supervising judge which allowed Karim Benzema to meet with Mathieu Valbuena," Benzema's lawyer Olivier Combe told reporters outside the hearing.
The French Football Federation acknowledged the decision in a brief statement. The FFF also succeeded in an appeal to be considered a civil part to the case, granting access to documents relating to the investigation.
"The French Football Federation takes note of the lifting of restrictions on Karim Benzema. It is a first stage," the statement posted online said.
"The FFF has also been recognised as a civil party and can therefore learn of all developments in the case as they happen."
Despite this development, Benzema remains under investigation with inquiries still ongoing.
France coach Didier Deschamps is scheduled to name a squad on Thursday of next week, ahead of friendlies against the Netherlands and Russia at the end of March.
