Karim Benzema has made a public statement confirming that he will not be in the France squad for this summer's European Championship. The striker made the announcement on Twitter: "Unfortunately for me and all those who have always supported me, I will not be selected for the Euros in France." The French Football Federation confirmed the information: the Real Madrid striker will not play at Euro 2016.
The exclusion is not due to his performances on the pitch but to off-stadium matters. The striker is facing charges of conspiracy to blackmail in a dubious extortion scam involving a sex tape in which fellow footballer Mathieu Valbuena was "starring". In December Benzema was suspended indefinitely by the Federation, while on Wednesday the president and national team coach Didier Deschamps decided that he will be left out of the Euro 2016 squad.
The "Benzema case" was an important topic of discussion in France, even prime minister Manuel Valls felt the need to say publicly that he should not be in the national team. The Real Madrid star has 81 appearances for the French national team with 27 goals scored. He played at Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and at the World Cup in 2014.
France are 10/3 at Bet365 to win the 2016 European Championship, which they are hosting.
dzeps307 7 years ago
Benzema is out EURO 2016 in France , I am sad , why , The Real Madrid Striker is great player , and France is not france without him. I Think this is realy bad decision for france , but , they know the best , but Benzema is benzema , and i think in france they will not have realy player for goals.
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sharpe 7 years ago
He has a lot more important matters now than that he would miss European championship. France has so many top striker s that I don't think it would be big absence for them. Obviously there was a pressure against Didier Deschamps to left him out of the squad for the even t which of course is a reasonable decision. Some people...
He has a lot more important matters now than that he would miss European championship. France has so many top striker s that I don't think it would be big absence for them. Obviously there was a pressure against Didier Deschamps to left him out of the squad for the even t which of course is a reasonable decision. Some people don't understand that anybody should pay for his actions football star or not.
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mannixx 7 years ago
Benzema scored 22 goals in la liga this year , i dont get it why he will be droped from the squad, probably becouse Dechamp will have tactics with only one foward and with Lacazette, Giroud, Martial, Greizman ...its to crowded in front , but i still think Benzema is better the all of players i counted above and is in pretty...
Benzema scored 22 goals in la liga this year , i dont get it why he will be droped from the squad, probably becouse Dechamp will have tactics with only one foward and with Lacazette, Giroud, Martial, Greizman ...its to crowded in front , but i still think Benzema is better the all of players i counted above and is in pretty good form, he even scored in El clasico against barcelona , it doesnt make any sense :/
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milo?.sekuli? 8 years ago
Even prime minister Manuel Valls felt the need to say it in public ? Why, why do politicians interfere into sports ? I'm okay with this decision by the way. Although he is a great player and can contribute very well, If he is guilty he should suffer the consequences. I dont know but this guy reminds me of Adriano, like...
Even prime minister Manuel Valls felt the need to say it in public ? Why, why do politicians interfere into sports ? I'm okay with this decision by the way. Although he is a great player and can contribute very well, If he is guilty he should suffer the consequences. I dont know but this guy reminds me of Adriano, like he is going his way :D
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
In my opinion,most important thing ,especially in national team is an atmosphere.If it is true what Benzema did,then definitely he should be out of the team,no matter on how important he is for the squad.Decisions like this are very hard,but they will keep rest of the team stronger and united.It would not be the first time...
In my opinion,most important thing ,especially in national team is an atmosphere.If it is true what Benzema did,then definitely he should be out of the team,no matter on how important he is for the squad.Decisions like this are very hard,but they will keep rest of the team stronger and united.It would not be the first time to see teams without biggest star to go far on the Euro.Denmark won the tournament 24 years ago without Laudrup.
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nik92 8 years ago
I think this decision is a good one, it is definitely a great player but a bad influence on the atmosphere in the locker room. France has a great team and I think they will go far in this tournament. I even think that his career at Real Madrid ended when he was found guilty in blackamail of teammate from national team Valbuena....
I think this decision is a good one, it is definitely a great player but a bad influence on the atmosphere in the locker room. France has a great team and I think they will go far in this tournament. I even think that his career at Real Madrid ended when he was found guilty in blackamail of teammate from national team Valbuena. Each player can be replaced, so and Benzema. I wish all the luck to the French team, bravo for this decision.
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