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Real Madrid's French striker Karim -Benzema was placed under formal judicial investigation on Thursday in -connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail -fellow French soccer -international Mathieu Valbuena with the use of a sex tape.


A statement from the public prosecutor in Versailles Xavi Hernandez Barcelona Jersey , west of Paris, said the inquiry covered alleged offenses that can carry a prison sentence of at least five years.


Benzema's lawyer, Sylvain Cormier said that his client was totally innocent. "He played no part Thomas Vermaelen Barcelona Jersey , I repeat no part, in any blackmail or attempted blackmail," Cormier told reporters.


The prosecutor's move - which in France's justice system does not necessarily mean Benzema will end up being tried Samuel Umtiti Barcelona Jersey , but does mean investigators believe they have serious grounds for pursuing the matter with him - -exposes Benzema to a period of doubt ahead of the European Championship that France hosts next year.


Investigators are trying to identify who was behind the -alleged extortion -attempt.


The affair involved phone-recorded sex footage that could prove embarrassing for Valbuena, according to sources close to the inquiry. Benzema's name came up during phone taps in relation to the inquiry opened in July, police sources say.


The inquiry cites suspicion of complicity in extortion. The prosecutor also ordered Benzema not to contact others linked to the affair.


Local media highlighted that the -investigation could make life difficult for France coach Didier Deschamps Aleix Vidal Barcelona Jersey , who may wish to call up both Valbuena, a forward for Olympique Lyonnais, and striker Benzema to play for France in the days and months ahead and in the -European Championship in June and July next year.


The imbroglio is not Benzema's first brush with justice.