Real Madrid release statement regarding Arsenal transfer target

Karim Benzema has resumed training with Madrid after a difficult week

REAL MADRID have lent their support to Karim Benzema despite the striker being charged with conspiracy to blackmail as part of an investigation over a sex tape involving France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Benzema has spent much of the week with police after the prosecutor's office in Versailles opened an investigation into the scandal.

The 27-year-old's lawyer has said the Madrid ace  played "no part" in the blackmail or attempted blackmail of Valbuena.

But he faces a maximum prison sentence of five years if found guilty.

Benzema, who was a summer transfer target for Arsenal, has been freed pending further investigation and resumed training with his club.

Madrid also said in a statement that club president Florentino Perez has spoken with the player and given him his "full support".

 

It said: "Karim Benzema restarted his training session this afternoon in the Ciudad Real Madrid after giving evidence to the French authorities in the city of Versailles.

"President of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, has held a meeting with the player in which he expressed his full support and confidence in the goodness of his performance and his complete innocence.

"The club acknowledge and value his professional commitment, his demonstrated partnership and his unblemished attitude within the first team during the six years that he is part of Real Madrid."