Benzema admits he was ‘sex tape case go-between’

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema admitted to investigators he was supposed to act as an intermediary between a friend and his French international teammate Mathieu Valbuena in a sex tape blackmail case, sources said on Friday.

Benzema also told police he felt “stupid” when confronted with the evidence, said one source close to a case that has cast a shadow over the national team as France prepares to host Euro 2016 next year.

The centre-forward has been charged over the case in which Valbuena went to the police after being approached for money by men claiming to be in possession of a sex tape featuring the Lyon midfielder. Benzema had initially denied any involvement following his arrest on November 5, but in a third session of questioning he began to open up.

He eventually admitted he was only trying to help Karim Zenati, a childhood friend from Lyon where the player grew up, who already had a criminal record. “I feel embarrassed towards my friend because when he came out of prison and even when he was inside, I looked after him. We’re very close,” Benzema said.