4:02 AM
Benzema did not attend the trial.
Benzema was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and a 75,000 fine for his involvement in the attempted blackmail of former teammate Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema will appeal the verdict, his lawyer told journalists.
Benzema was found guilty of "complicity" in the affair by a court in Versailles, ending a legal saga that saw him exiled from the France national team for almost six years. Benzema did not attend the trial. His lawyer cited professional reasons, with the Real Madrid player in training for the El Clasico clash with Barcelona.
Four other men were also found guilty and received prison sentences ranging from 18 months to two-and-a-half years.
Angot discovered a sexually explicit video on Valbuena's mobile phone after he was asked to transfer its contents to a new device. Angot and a third person tried to use the video to extort money from Valbuena, who was playing for Lyon and France. They enlisted another person, Houass, who was a childhood friend of Benzema, and then turned to Zenati, a childhood friend of Benzema. The police began a sting operation after Valbuena contacted them.
Benzema talked to Valbuena about the video at the France training camp. Benzema said he was trying to help resolve the situation and warned his teammate to be careful.
Benzema's offer of assistance was seen as abetting the blackmail scheme by police, prosecutors and the court.
Benzema is the top scorer in LaLiga so far this season with 10 goals, and he played in the France team that won the Euro 2020 final.
He is a contender to win the Ballon d'Or award for the best male player in 2021. Since the incident occurred, Valbuena has not played for his country.
This report used information from the news agency.
