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Zidane: France cannot deny Benzema Euro 2016 chance

France cannot afford to go to Euro 2016 without Karim Benzema, according to Real Madrid coach and compatriot Zinedine Zidane.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane believes the French Football Federation (FFF) would be making a big mistake by allowing Karim Benzema's ban from international football to move into the European Championships in June.

Benzema was suspended from representing France at any level by the FFF until the legal investigation into his involvement in an alleged plot to blackmail international teammate Mathieu Valbuena has been concluded.

France is the host of Euro 2016 and Zidane believes his country will be severely hurting its chance of a home triumph by not selecting Benzema.