Karim Benzema, Real Madrid striker, charged in sex tape blackmail case

Five years after missing the World Cup amid his involvement in a prostitution probe, Karim Benzema was charged Thursday with conspiracy to blackmail as part of an investigation over a sex tape involving France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema, widely considered one of the most talented strikers in the world, also faced preliminary charges of participating in a criminal group in a scandal that has monopolized the national media's attention.

Few details of the case have been released, but investigators said they are trying to find out if Benzema played a role in an extortion attempt targeting Valbuena, and if he actually tried to blackmail the Lyon midfielder.

Benzema was handed the preliminary charges Thursday after being brought before a judge at a Versailles court following a night spent in custody. The Real Madrid forward, who has been freed pending further investigation, faces a maximum prison sentence of five years, the prosecutor's office said.

Acquitted on 2010 charge

Benzema and another teammate on France's national team, Franck Ribery, were handed preliminary charges in 2010 for soliciting an underage prostitute. Both were questioned and, three years later, acquitted.

Benzema's involvement in the sex tape case has yet to be determined, but investigators believe he was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary between the blackmailers and Valbuena.

"Karim Benzema will show his good faith in this matter as soon as possible," said Benzema's lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, adding that the charges arose from a question of interpretation. "He was charged by the judge who notified him that he was a suspect ... It is not a declaration of guilt."

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.

Benzema was also placed under judicial supervision, meaning he cannot meet with the victim — Valbuena — or other people charged in the case. He can, however, continue to live abroad and travel freely, so Real Madrid should not be affected by the charges.

Benzema resumed light training with Real Madrid later Thursday, with the Spanish giants publishing a picture of the striker doing some ball work on its Twitter feed.

At least three other people have been handed preliminary charges in the case since October. The investigation, which includes wiretap evidence, started this year when Valbuena decided to take legal action after being contacted by a man claiming to be in possession of an incriminating sex tape.

In the same case, former France international Djibril Cisse was briefly detained last month but released without seeing a judge.

Both Benzema and Valbuena play for France's national team. But because of the case, France coach Didier Deschamps won't be able to use both players at the same time while the investigation goes on.

With both men being key members of the national team, Benzema's judicial issues could also have an impact on France's performance at next year's European Championship, which France will host.​