Sex Tape Scandal: Zidane Backs Compatriot, Benzema

Cat:

Related stories

Drama as UNIMAID ASUU Opposes Tinubu, Vows To Contest Renaming of Varsity After Late Buhari

By Abiola Olawale The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)...

Falana Lashes Okpebholo, Warns: “Withdraw Your Statement, Apologize to Obi immediately.”

By Abiola Olawale  Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate...

NDDC’s N6 trillion: SERAP Drags Tinubu to Court Over Non-Release of Forensic Audit Report

By Abiola Olawale The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP),...

Breakdown as FAAC Disburses N1.818 Trillion in June 2025 

• FG Receives Lion share By Abiola Olawale The Federation Account...

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has backed forward Karim Benzema after he was charged by French prosecutors with being complicit in a conspiracy to blackmail his former France team mate Matthieu Valbuena in a case linked to a sex tape.

Investigators alleged that Benzema, who has denied wrongdoing, encouraged Valbuena to pay blackmailers in order that the tape would not be made public.

French prosecutors announced on Thursday that Benzema will have to stand trial for his alleged role in the affair that dates back to 2015.

“I support him completely, these aren’t easy situations,” Zidane told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s La Liga trip to Osasuna.

“I can see that he’s well, that he’s not thinking about that and he’s focused on the job at hand here.

“It’s a tough situation and I hope that for everyone’s sake it can be solved soon. He’s working hard, which is what he enjoys doing and he wants to make everyone happy.”

Benzema has netted eight times in 15 La Liga games this season as Real look to chase down table toppers Atletico.

They sit second and two points behind their city rivals having played two games more.

Zidane, who had to temporarily self-isolate after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19, will travel to the Basque Country with the rest of the squad as normal after testing negative.

Right back Dani Carvajal and forward Rodrygo will miss the game, but Eden Hazard is in the squad as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem picked up before the winter break.

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Drama as UNIMAID ASUU Opposes Tinubu, Vows To Contest Renaming of Varsity After Late BuhariFalana Lashes Okpebholo, Warns: "Withdraw Your Statement, Apologize to Obi immediately."NDDC's N6 trillion: SERAP Drags Tinubu to Court Over Non-Release of Forensic Audit ReportFears Soars As PDP Confirms Assassination Attempt on Anambra Gov Candidate, EzenwaforBreakdown as FAAC Disburses N1.818 Trillion in June 2025 2027: Osun Senator, Fadeyi Dumps PDP, Amid Adeleke's Defection SpeculationsRanked: The 40 Countries With the Best Culture and HeritageEFCC Probing 18 Sitting Governors in Major Corruption Crackdown, Olukoyede RevealsNatasha Vows to Return to Senate Tuesday, Despite Akpabio's AppealPresidency, ADC in War of Words Over BuhariPresidency, ADC in War of Words Over Buhari(VIDEO) Gambari Weighs in on Buhari's Legacy, Says History Will Be Kind to Him2027: Osun Senator, Fadeyi Dumps PDP, Amid Adeleke's Defection SpeculationsEFCC Probing 18 Sitting Governors in Major Corruption Crackdown, Olukoyede RevealsDrama as Okpebholo Tells Peter Obi: Notify me Before Visiting Edo or Else I Can't Guarantee Your Security
X whatsapp