France striker Karim Benzema blames racists for Euros snub

Karim Benzema

The Real Madrid striker was suspended by the French Football Federation in December after being charged with conspiracy to blackmail amid allegations one of his friends tried to extort money from international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

However, former Les Bleus star Eric Cantona last week suggested Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa were overlooked due to their ethnicity.

Benzema agrees, accusing national team coach Didier Deschamps of bowing to pressure from the National Front, a far-right political party.

“He has bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France,” Benzema told Marca. “He has to know that in France the extremist party reached the second round in the last two elections.

“I do not know, therefore, whether it is a decision only for Didier because I’ve gotten along with him, with the president (of the French Football Federation, Noel Le Graet) and everyone.”

Benzema, who netted 28 goals for Real this season, added: “They said I cannot be selected, fine. But on a sporting level, I don’t understand why.”

“At the judicial level, I have not been judged. I am not guilty, so we have to wait to see what the justice says.

“I like football and to play with my team.” Kickoff.com

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