Benzema blow in sex-tape scandal as appeal rejected

The defence had hoped that the investigation against the Real Madrid striker would crumble if this appeal had been upheld.

Karim Benzema’s request to be free to make private calls on his phone has been rejected by the Court of Appeal in Versailles, AFP reports.

The Real Madrid striker, 28, remains under investigation with regards an alleged blackmail attempt on France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, 32, and a lawyer involved in the defence for this case had hoped the investigation would crumble if this appeal was upheld.

The case exploded into the public consciousness over a year ago, when Benzema was taken into police custody and charged with conspiracy to blackmail the Lyon midfielder, who initially filed a complaint in June 2015.

 Benzema was placed under judicial supervision, which means he is prohibited from meeting with Valbuena or any other people charged in the case.

Defence lawyer Sylvain Cormier has always protested the player’s innocence, stating in November 2015: “Karim Benzema will show his good faith in this affair - as soon as possible, I hope,” Cormier announced.