MX23RW : Sunday, May 19 04:40:11| >> :600:196502:196502:

Karim Benzema included in France squad for Euro 2020

Karim Benzema included in France squad for Euro 2020
© Reuters
Karim Benzema is due to stand trial in October on a charge of complicity in attempted blackmail.

Karim Benzema has been recalled by France for this summer's delayed Euro 2020 tournament after an absence of more than five years.

The Real Madrid striker was dropped in 2015 over his alleged involvement in the Mathieu Valbuena sex tape scandal.

The 33-year-old fell out with manager Didier Deschamps over the matter and it appeared his international career was over.

Those differences appear to have been put aside with Benzema named in the Deschamps' 26-man squad for the tournament.

Benzema is due to stand trial in October on a charge of complicity in attempted blackmail. He is accused of pressuring international team-mate Valbuena to pay blackmailers who were threatening to reveal an intimate video of the midfielder. Benzema denies any wrongdoing.

Benzema last played for France in 2015
Benzema last played for France in 2015 (Sean Dempsey/PA)

Despite his exclusion by France, Benzema has remained one of the world's leading strikers. His recall comes after a fine season in which he has scored 29 goals for Real in all competitions.

Benzema will bolster an attacking arsenal for the world champions that also includes Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

Premier League players Hugo Lloris, Lucas Digne, Kurt Zouma, N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Moussa Sissoko and Olivier Giroud are also included.

ID:448085: cacheID:448085:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5026:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England manager Gareth Southgate pictured on March 25, 2021
Read Next:
Wednesday's World Cup qualifying predictions including England vs. Poland
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371212135560-548
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!