PARIS (AP) β Mathieu Valbuena has spoken out for the first time against France teammate Karim Benzema, who is facing charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam that has rocked the national team.
The investigation, centering on wiretap evidence, started when Valbuena took legal action after being contacted by a man claiming to be in possession of an incriminating sex tape involving Valbuena.
Benzema’s involvement has yet to be fully determined. But investigators who charged him last month believe he was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the blackmailers.
In an interview on Friday with newspaper Le Monde, Vabuena spoke directly about Benzema’s attempts to pressure him, saying “I wouldn’t even do that to my worst enemy.”
