Deschamps opens Les Bleus door for Karim Benzema return
"I cannot say the situation will be the same in four months, six months or a year," the France manager said of Real striker's international exile.
France manager Didier Deschamps has opened the door for Karim Benzema to return to the international fold with Les Bleus in an interview with beIN Sports France.
Valbuena case
The Real Madrid striker has been in exile from the France squad since his alleged involvement in a case of blackmail against international teammate Mathieu Valbuena emerged last year. Benzema stands accused of acting as an intermediary between the Lyon midfielder and a childhood friend of the Real Madrid striker, who allegedly attempted to blackmail Valbuena over a sex tape. Benzema denies involvement and has asked for the charges against him to be dropped. The French judiciary is to make a ruling on the matter in December.
Year-long international exile
Benzema was first omitted from the France squad in October 2015 and has not been called up since. The influential striker missed Les Bleus’ run to the Euro 2016 final as a consequence but Deschamps, who has been backed by the FFF throughout, appeared to extend an olive branch during the interview, which was published by sports daily L’Èquipe.
“He has been an important player for France but then this happened. When I make decisions, it is for the good of the team,” Deschamps said. “However, I cannot say the situation will be the same in four months, six months or a year.”
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