La Liga giants Real Madrid released a statement via their official website in which they publicly hand French striker Real Madrid their full support in the wake of his arrest on Wednesday.
The Blancos ace was held by police in Versailles overnight over possible connection with a plot to blackmail Les Blues team-mate Mathieu Valbuena with a sex tape, with the intention of extorting £40,000 to £75,000 from the Lyon playmaker.
Whether Benzema was in fact a culprit remains unproven, but the Frenchman was questioned over the reported blackmail and is now under formal investigation in relation with the case.
Upon his release, the 27-year-old returned to training with Rafael Benitez’s side on Thursday evening, where he also met with president Florentino Perez, whom fully backed his star striker.
“The Real Madrid C. F. president, Florentino Pérez, held a meeting with the player in which he gave him his full support and expressed his confidence that his actions were in good faith and that he is completely innocent,” read the statement.
“The club values and recognises the professional commitment, the displays of camaraderie with his team-mates and the impeccable attitude he has shown as a core member of the first team squad for the more than six seasons that he has been a part of Real Madrid.”
Although Benzema is under a formal investigation after being charged over an alleged complicity in the blackmail scandal, his lawyers claim that the Real Madrid man had “no part” in the criminal conspiracy.
"He proclaims his innocence," says Benzema's lawyer
"Karim #Benzema n'a rien reconnu du tout [...] Il proclame son innocence", a déclaré son avocat Me Sylvain Cormier pic.twitter.com/VbSGoo1rU8
— iTELE Foot (@itelefoot) November 5, 2015
The player, if found guilty, could face up to five years behind bars, an outcome which could seriously ruin the player's bright career.
SUMMARY OF THE LAST HOUR: - Benzema's lawyer denies involvement - Prosecution accuses Benzema - They ask 100,000,- & 7 years jail time
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) November 5, 2015
It should also be noted that Euro 2016, being held in France, is merely eight months away, with both Benzema and Valbuena expected to be integral figures.
