Deadline set for footballer Benzema's France fate

France striker Karim Benzema will find out next month whether he is eligible to play for his country at Euro 2016, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet revealed on Tuesday.

"We're going to talk with our legal advisers," said Le Graet during a press conference in Clermont-Ferrand. "We will make a decision (on Benzema's eligibility) before April 15."

The Real Madrid star was indefinitely suspended from the France team in December after he was placed under investigation over an attempt to bribe France teammate Mathieu Valbuena for a sex-tape. Benzema has been accused of complicity in the attempt.

Legal restrictions barring Benzema to come into contact with Valbuena were lifted earlier this month, but the forward remains excluded from national team duty.

His return to the France squad remains the subject of debate, with Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Sports Minister Patrick Kanner arguing that the conditions for Benzema's re-inclusion "have not yet been met".
Source: AFP