Mathieu Valbuena, 37-year-old Olympiakos player, said in court this Wednesday that he felt intimidated and feared for his football career both in the club and in the national team, a scenario that was confirmed, as the midfielder has been sidelined from the national team since 2015.
“I felt scared, upset and in danger. I feared for my sporting career, for the French national team. If the video became public, it would be difficult to return to the French national team», he said, at the beginning of the trial of the blackmail attempt he was targeted five years ago, through a private video of a sexual nature.
The other French international involved in this case, Karim Benzema, accused of complicity, was not present at the trial in Paris. According to the lawyer, the striker was absent for professional reasons.
The current number nine of Real Madrid, who was also removed from the selection in 2015 (would eventually return this year) has denied all the charges, but if they are proven, he could be sentenced to five years in prison and a €75,000 fine.
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