July 12 – French international forward Karim Benzema has won a crucial ruling in his bid to clear his name in a long-running sex tape scandal.
Benzema has not played for Les Bleus since being embroiled in an alleged blackmail affair also involving fellow international Mathieu Valbuena. The scandal caused upheaval in France and Benzema was subsequently banned from the French squad for Euro 2016.
The case has yet to go to trial but Benzema’s lawyer has claimed a “great victory” after France’s Court of Cassation, the highest court of appeal in the country, ruled in the Real Madrid forward’s favour.
“It’s definitely a big victory,” said lawyer Patrice Spinosi, who told France Info it was a turning point in the investigation. He said Tuesday’s decision by France’s highest judicial court meant that the case would return to the Court of Appeal’s examining chamber, which would have no choice but to drop the inquiry.
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