Benzema career in jeopardy

PARIS, AP:

Karim Benzema's place on France's national football team could be in jeopardy.

Already facing charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam, Benzema's international career is under increasing strain after teammate Mathieu Valbuena spoke out for the first time against him and the French football federation followed up by joining the case as a plaintiff.

The investigation, centring on wiretap evidence,

started when Valbuena took legal action after being

contacted by a man claiming to be in possession of an incriminating sex tape.

blackmailers

Benzema's involvement has not yet been fully determined. But investigators who charged him last month believe he was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal

directly with the blackmailers.

The case could have implications on Benzema's career with France's national team. By joining as a plaintiff, the country's football federation can have access to the case files. In a statement yesterday, it said it "reserves the right, given how the case evolves, to take all the measures needed," including claiming

compensation.

At least four other people have been handed preliminary charges in the case.