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Benzema loses bid to meet Valbuena in sex-tape scandal
Conspiracy: In this Wednesday, Sept
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Conspiracy: In this Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 file photo, Real Madrid's Karim Benzema of France celebrates after scoring against Athletic Bilbao during their Spanish La Liga soccer match, at San Mames stadium in Bilbao, northern Spain. Karim Benzema has been indefinitely suspended from the French national team on Thursday, Dec. 10, over his involvement in an ongoing blackmail case. The Real Madrid striker has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail, relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape featuring France teammate Mathieu Valbuena. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos, file) (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos, file)
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span class="inline inline-center">Conspiracy: In this Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 file photo, Real Madrid's Karim Benzema of France celebrates after scoring against Athletic Bilbao during their Spanish La Liga soccer match, at San Mames stadium in Bilbao, northern Spain. Karim Benzema has been indefinitely suspended from the French national team on Thursday, Dec. 10, over his involvement in an ongoing blackmail case. The Real Madrid striker has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail, relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape featuring France teammate Mathieu Valbuena. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos, file)
The investigating judge in charge of the blackmail case rattling France's soccer team has denied Karim Benzema's request for a face-to-face meeting with Mathieu Valbuena.
Real Madrid striker Benzema, who has scored 27 goals in 81 international matches, is facing preliminary charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape involving France teammate Valbuena.
Judge Nathalie Boutard ruled that Benzema has no right to meet the Lyon midfielder, the Versailles prosecutor's office said Monday.
Benzema's lawyers hoped a meeting would ease tensions between the two players after Valbuena spoke directly about the striker's alleged attempts to pressure him.
Benzema has been suspended from the national team until the case has been resolved.
France hosts the European Championship, starting June 10. (ags)
