We know who won’t be spear-heading the France attack in, er, France.
With 24 teams competing this year, we’re bound to see more Premier League players than ever before at this summer’s tournament, but not everyone is guaranteed game time in France this summer.
Despite their frequent appearances in the starting line ups of two of the Premier League’s top clubs, Olivier Giroud and Anthony Martial have not always been guaranteed starters for the hosts.
But their hopes of a starting berth have been boosted by the news that Karim Benzema will not be selected.
Malheureusement pour moi et pour tous ceux qui m'ont toujours soutenu et supporté. Je ne serai pas sélectionné pour notre Euro en France…
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) April 13, 2016
The Real Madrid forward had already been excluded from this year’s official Panini sticker album, having been suspended by the French Football Federation following his alleged involvement in the Mathieu Valbuena sex tape blackmail scandal.
Karim Benzema won't be playing for hosts France at Euro 2016. Remember? The whole sextape blackmail thing? pic.twitter.com/1F5ilCm4XU
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) April 13, 2016
The suspension was said to be pending the end of the trial, but French coach Didier Deschamps has decided not to include Benzema in his squad in order to remove any potential distractions his involvement may bring.
