The sex video affair involving French soccer star Karim Benzema has ended, at least legally, after almost seven years. According to his lawyer, the 34-year-old withdrew his appeal against the suspended sentence and fine imposed on him in November 2021. This is reported by the AFP news agency.
Benzema, who won the Champions League for the fifth time with Real Madrid on May 28, was sentenced to one year’s probation and a payment of 75,000 euros. Benzema was found guilty of assisting in the attempted extortion of his former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.
The verdict was two months higher than the prosecutor’s office had demanded. Benzema appealed, which should have been heard at Versailles on June 30 and July 1.
Benzema pardoned and goalscorer
The scandal shook the French national team in 2015, both Benzema and Valbuena had to leave the team. Benzema has since been pardoned by national coach Didier Deschamps, on Friday he scored his 37th goal in 95 international matches in the 2-1 defeat by Denmark in the Nations League. Valbuena (37) played for Olympiacos Piraeus last season. (AFP/(sme)