With France set to hold the upcoming Euro 2016 tournament, due next month, the hosts will be keen on winning the coveted prize on home soil. However, Les Bleus will have to achieve this feat in the absence of one of their best players.
Karim Benzema, France’s highest profile player, will not take part in the continental tournament after being left out of the 23-man squad by coach Didier Deschamps. The first-team boss claimed that this decision was due to the criminal charges that Real Madrid ace faces, but the 28-year-old holds a different opinion.
Being accused of having a role in the sex tape blackmail plot against countryman Mathieu Valbeuna, the Blancos ace argues that his omission was not due to his legal battle, but due to pressure from the “racist part of France”.
Speaking to Marca, Benzema hinted that his exclusion was an attempt to please the “extremist party” that is gaining popularity in France, saying:
"He has bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France."
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Benzema, who scored 28 goals in 2015/16, was not the only player of north African descent to miss out on a place in the 23-man squad, as Nice ace Hatem Ben Arfa was also ignored despite a stellar season in Ligue 1. This led to Man United legend Eric Cantona accusing Didier of being a racist.
"He has to know that in France the extremist party reached the second round in the last two elections,” Karim continued to say.
"I do not know, therefore, whether it is a decision only for Didier because I've gotten along with him, with the president, everyone."
"In sporting terms, I do not understand why," the two-time Champions League winner added.
"At the judicial level, I have not been judged. I am not guilty, so we have to wait to see what the justice says.
"I like football and to play with my team."
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