Karim Benzema Could Return to France National Team After Blackmail Case

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is likely to get back in the France national team after his blackmail case is over report theMail.

Benzema was suspended by France's footballgoverning body after he became the subject of a blackmail investigation. It has been alleged that the Madrid ace tried blackmailing his compatriot Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape, but the player has refuted all accusations, insisting that he did nothing wrong.

France Football Federation PresidentNoel Le Graet has opened the door for Benzema to return to the fold, but says that the final decision rests on the shoulders of Didier Deschamps.

"I am against lifetime punishments. Benzema needs to go through the courts, we won't take a risk, whatever it might be," the FFF president said to L'Equipe on Sunday.

"He already missed the Euros, that's something. The problem hasn't been raised for the moment, but he's available for selection.

"The day when justice will be done, only then will Didier decide whether to integrate him or not."

A court date hasn't been set for the hearing of Benzema's case, but proceedings should be complete before the next World Cup rolls around.

The striker hasn't featured for Madrid this season either, and is currently undergoing recovery from a hip injury.

France could have surely used the striker's expertise at the Euro's having failed to get past the line after making it to the final. Portugal would overthrow the hosts to claim the coveted piece of silverware, with Benzema's Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo lifting it at the end.