Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will face trial for his alleged involvement in blackmailing former France team-mate Matthieu Valbuena in a sex tape scandal.

Benzema is suspected of having pressured his former France team-mate Matthieu Valbuena to pay blackmailers who threatened to reveal an intimate video in which Valbuena featured.

The 33-year-old along with four others, will stand trial on the charge of conspiracy to attempt blackmail. The incident happened while both players were in the French national squad for the 2014 World cup.

Benzema’s alleged involvement has cost him his place in the France national team since 2015 despite his consistent high-level performances for Real Madrid. 

Benzema posted a screenshot of a story by French newspaper L’Equipe about the update in the case, which first emerged in 2015, on Instagram as he asked his 36.9million followers when will the ‘farce’ will come to an end.  

He denies any wrongdoing.