In the trial of attempted extortion with a sex tape, a Versailles court sentenced French soccer team player Karim Benzema to one year probation. In addition, the Real Madrid striker has to pay 75,000 euros, AFP reported on Wednesday. Four other men who were co-accused were sentenced to sentences ranging from 18 months probation to two and a half years in prison. Benzema’s attorneys announced they would appeal the verdict.
The allegations go back to June 2015. Back then, when French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena was called, threatened with the release of an intimate video that was supposed to feature him. The focus of the allegations against Benzema was a private conversation between him and Valbuena about the sex tape a few days after the call. Benzema is said to have tried to persuade his colleague to talk to a middleman. There was no talk of money, but it was clear, said Valbuena.
