Karim Benzema to take legal action against radio station amid blackmail scandal
Karim Benzema will file a complaint against Europe 1, a French radio station that published a transcript of a conversation related to the blackmail scandal involving a sex tape that allegedly features Mathieu Valbuena.
Europe 1 released a transcript of a 20-minute discussion between Benzema and a childhood friend from Oct. 6, in which the former explains how he tried to convince Valbuena to negotiate with three blackmailers in order to prevent the sex tape from going public.
Benzema's lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, lashed out at the radio station for doing so on Tuesday.
"Which extracts were chosen? The worst," Cormier said to Europe 1, according to Sky Sports. "We're done playing now and we are announcing that we will file a complaint for violation of judicial confidentiality."
According to Marca's account of the Europe 1 extracts, Benzema said to his childhood friend that he had told Valbuena to go Lyon if he wanted the video to be destroyed. He added: "I don't think he's taking us seriously," indicating that Valbuena didn't understand the severity of the situation.
Benzema then explained that he tried to convince Valbuena that the threat was real, saying: "I told him: 'I can help you out. You have to see this guy. You have my word that there are no more copies.'" At that point, Benzema said that Valbuena had asked if his tattoos were visible in the sex tape and panicked.
Benzema was charged in the extortion case on Thursday and placed under judicial supervision. The charges include complicity to blackmail and conspiring to commit a criminal act, which could carry a prison sentence of least five years.
As The Associated Press' Samuel Petrequin explains, "Preliminary charges under French law mean magistrates have strong reason to believe a crime was committed, and allow time for further investigation. The charges may later be dropped."
Related: Karim Benzema charged in blackmail scandal
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez gave his "full support" to Benzema on Thursday, expressing his confidence that the player acted in good faith and that he is completely innocent.