Back to the International Newsfeed

Benzema told France return will be 'difficult' as World Cup dream fades

Karim Benzema should not expect to return to the international fold any time soon, French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet has said.

Real Madrid striker Benzema has been out of the France set-up since October 2015 having become embroiled in a scandal involving an alleged attempt to blackmail Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.

Having seen the Court of Cassation – the country's court of final appeals in civil and criminal proceedings – boost his defence by ruling in his favour in July, the 29-year-old last month spoke of his desire to return for Les Bleus.