The French Football Federation's president, Noel Le Graet, has stressed he believes in the striker's innocence over the Mathieu Valbuena sex-tape scandal
The president of the French Football Federation (FFF) offered Karim Benzema words of encouragement after the Real Madrid striker spent the night in police custody in Versailles for blackmailing Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema was charged after being put before a judge on allegations he was part of a plan to blackmail Lyon midfielder Valbuena, but Noel Le Graet has stressed the FFF are fully behind Benzema as he remains innocent at this stage.
"I have a lot of affection for Karim. He is a great player and a great person. We will not let him down,"
"Nothing is definitive as of yet. It would not be the first time someone is taken into custody and then cleared of all charges the day after. There is no such thing as a Benzema affair. We have to wait until justice runs its course and a final decision is made.
"I have no proof he did anything wrong and I will not condemn him. I hope Benzema and Valbuena will be friends again one day.
"Benzema has been an easy target for many. He has been condemned before he could even defend himself. At this stage I believe in his innocence."
Meanwhile, the French secretary of state for sports, Thierry Braillard, has praised national team coach Didier Deschamps - who has not selected Benzema for his latest squad - for his decision not to comment on the matter at this stage.
"I think Deschamps has good reasons to protect his players. These matters off the pitch could have an impact on the national side, but Deschamps has managed the situation intelligently,"
"For me, this whole situation has nothing to do with football.
"But it is important that football remains all about sport and not about money. Money can make people do crazy things."
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