Benzema, Valbuena omitted from France's squad amid blackmail scandal

France's national team will be without two of its attacking players for a pair of friendlies in November.

Speaking at a press conference Thursday, manager Didier Deschamps revealed France's 23-man squad for its fixture versus Germany at the Stade de France on Nov. 13 and its match against England at Wembley four days later. Omitted from the team were Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena, both of whom are embroiled in a sex tape blackmail scandal.

On Thursday, Benzema was charged with complicity in an attempt to blackmail Valbuena and participation in a criminal conspiracy. The case centers on an attempt to use a sex tape against Valbuena, and Benzema could face at least five years in prison if found guilty.

Related: Karim Benzema charged in sex tape scandal

Deschamps said Valbuena was not in an emotional state to play, and, with two key players missing, called up Hatem Ben Arfa, whose career is experiencing the most phenomenal of resurgences at OGC Nice. He has tallied seven goals and two assists in 12 Ligue 1 appearances this season.

Here's a look at France's squad in full: