This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
On December 9, 2019, France's highest court of appeal made a significant ruling in the case of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, dismissing his appeal challenging the legality of a blackmail investigation over a sex tape featuring fellow footballer Mathieu Valbuena.
The court's decision means that Benzema may face a criminal trial for his alleged role in colluding in the blackmail of Valbuena. The investigation, which was launched in 2015, centered around a sex tape that Valbuena had made with his mistress.
At the time of the attempted blackmail, both Benzema and Valbuena were members of the French national team. Valbuena had filed a complaint, claiming he was the victim of blackmail.
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