Karim Benzema charged over Valbuena sex tape blackmail allegations

The prosecutor said the Real Madrid star has been charged with "complicity in attempted blackmail and participation in a criminal association planning an offence punishable by at least five years imprisonment (in this case blackmail).”

Benzema, 27, is not allowed to have any contact with Lyon midfielder Valbuena after being charged.

Neither man was included in France's squad to face England and Germany in upcoming friendlies on Thursday.

Benzema was arrested on Wednesday morning in France and questioned over the scandal which also saw former France striker Djibril Cisse taken into custody last month.

[WEDNESDAY: Benzema arrested over Valbuena sex tape blackmail allegations]

Cisse was released after being questioned by police but Benzema was referred to the investigating judge in the Versailles courthouse after spending the night in custody.

News agency AFP says Benzema, who plays with Valbuena for the France national team, emerged from the headquarters of the judicial police at Versailles at around 9am CET on Thursday.

"Karim Benzema was taken to the courthouse to be brought before a judge who will decide later on in the procedure," said a public prosecutor. "The judge will decide at the end of this presentation the status of Karim Benzema in the procedure, particularly his possible indictment or his placement under the status of assisted witness."

AFP are reporting that Benzema has recognised that he intervened in the blackmail affair and now the striker has been formally charged.

A source close to the investigation divulged information to AFP. The source said:

AFP also adds that Benzema said he wanted to help his friend without thinking that he was doing wrong by Valbuena. Benzema is thought to have discussed the matter with Valbuena in October when France met up for matches against Armenia and Denmark.

Benzema has been prohibited from meeting with the victim, his team-mate Valbuena, and both men have been excluded from the France squad named by Didier Deschamps, even if Benzema was injured in any case.

So eight months before Euro 2016 takes place on French soil, Les Bleus are without their star striker and an important squad member for two important preparatory games. As hosts, France did not play any qualifying matches so the two matches against Germany and England are key to their preparation.