PARIS (AP) France striker Karim Benzema has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail and participating in a criminal group as part of an investigation over a sex tape involving teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
The prosecutor's office says Benzema was charged after being brought before a judge on Thursday at the Versailles court. He faces a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Benzema was also placed under judicial supervision, meaning he cannot meet with the victim or other people charged in the case.
Investigators are trying to find out if the Real Madrid forward played a role in the extortion attempt targeting Valbuena, and if he actually tried to blackmail the Lyon midfielder.
Both Benzema and Valbuena play for France's national team.
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