Benitez offers Benzema full support

Karim Benzema: Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez offers ‘total support’

Karim Benzema has the “total support” of Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez after being placed under police investigation.

The striker, who denies wrongdoing, is being investigated in relation to a sex tape blackmail plot involving France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema will not face Sevilla on Sunday in La Liga as he has a thigh injury.

“I have spoken to him but as he is not going to play I don’t want to talk too much about it,” Benitez said.

“I hope he gets fit quickly and can get back to enjoying playing on the pitch.

“He is in the final part of his recovery and we have decided to leave him out so that he can be 100% and return fresh. He is in good spirits.”

Benzema, 27, injured his hamstring playing for France last month and has missed the last five matches for Real.

Both he and Lyon midfielder Valbuena, 31, have been left out of the France squad for friendlies against England and Germany this month.

BBC Sport