New information from the Mathieu Valbuena sextape blackmail plot court case has been uncovered by a French outlet.
Le Monde have somehow managed to obtain statements given by Benzema to French police and once again, it doesn’t exactly paint him in the best light.
Benzema maintains he is still friends with his compatriot and described the situation of his involvement in an alleged blackmail involving a sextape as a “misunderstanding”.
The guys over at 101 Great Goals have collated together some tweets translating the key quotes from Benzema’s statements which you can check out below.
On relationship with Valbuena, Benzema says "He's a good friend of mine, we are often joking, we get along" to judge Natalie Boutard
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 2, 2015
Benzema says he heard about video THREE weeks before France-Armenia game at Nice, before talking to Mathieu Valbuena at Clairefontaine
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 2, 2015
Benzema says he had lunch in Madrid with childhood friend Karim Zenati (also involved) and someone came to talk about existence of video
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 2, 2015
Benzema on telling Valbuena: "It was with France team, two days before friendly v Armenia. I told him I had to talk to him about something"
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 2, 2015
Benzema: "Valbuena was already aware of the story. He asked what they (alleged blackmailers) wanted. He said he'd meet with his lawyer"
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 2, 2015
Judge: "You said to Valbuena you saw the video, did you?" Benzema: "No, I have not seen, frankly I don't know why I said that"
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 2, 2015
Benzema on telling Valbuena to meet with his friend (and not getting law involved: "Because I didn't want my name to come out. More for me"
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 2, 2015
Benzema: "I am really disappointed with the magnitude of this story, because blackmail and stuff like that, frankly it's serious"
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) December 2, 2015
Benzema: "Initially, I wanted to inform Valbuena of a story about him. Because I've already been through something similar in fact."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Benzema: "I wanted to make Valbuena aware of this history & discuss for him to share with me as it happened and see what he thought."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Judge: Why did you tell Valbuena to meet your friend & not getting the authorities involved?
Benzema: "So my name wouldn't come out."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Benzema: "I told Valbuena that he should do what he wanted about this video but also that there was someone who could help him, Zenati."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Judge: How did Valdbuena react?
Benzema: "I felt very embarrassed. He asked what I wanted. I said only wanted to help, nothing else."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Benzema: "Valbuena already said he had gone to the police. He knew of the video even before I told him."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
You went through something similar, did you pay?
Benzema: "I called my lawyer & police. I made it look like i was going to pay but didn't."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Benzema: "In my phone calls (with Zenati) you can hear the conversation. I was joking too. My only intetion was to help both."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
You told Valbuena his tattoos were visible but you haven't seen it?
Benzema: "Zenati told me he had. So i guessed everything was seen."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Judge: Do you think Zenati saw the video?
Benzema: "I think so, since he was talking to me in great detail about it."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Benzema: "I laughed in my conversation with Zenati which wasn't right. I feel very uncomfortable about it. Its a very rotten thing."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
You told Valbuena that you're friend will help if he wants it destroyed.
Benzema: "I onyl advised him & always said it was up to him."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
You mentioned money, why?
Benzema: "Valbuena asked what they could want. I assumed since I was asked of the same in my case."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
Do you really think you're friend would've helped for free?
Benzema: "Yes! Because he lacks nothing (financially). I've helped him."
— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) December 2, 2015
