Karim Benzema has been arrested after being accused of blackmail related to a sex tape featuring fellow player Mathieu Valbuena.
The Real Madrid and France forward arrived at the police station in Versailles, near Paris, early on Wednesday and was placed in detention, the local prosecutor confirmed without giving further information.
The 27-year-old was reportedly summoned to the police station in order to be questioned about attempted extortion, according to TMZ. The investigation reportedly began back in July, and involves footage of a sex tape, which was all shot on a cell phone.
Investigators are trying determine the extent to which Benzema was aware of the intimate video featuring Valbuena, which found its way into the hands of blackmailers.
The current focal point of the investigation is a conversation which took place between Karim and Mathieu back in October. In said conversation, the two discuss the tape, and it is unclear whether Karim is attempting to guide Mathieu in a sticky situation or if he is trying to blackmail him.
Police are seeking to determine whether he was teasing Valbuena when he mentioned the tape, or trying to make him pay the blackmailers.
Reports in France on Wednesday evening suggested that Benzema would spend the night in custody. Three men were arrested, one of whom was close to Valbuena and had direct access to his phone, which contained the tape.
It is not the first time Karim Benzema has been involved in a police investigation. Last year, he and his teammate Franck Ribery were cleared of accusations they had slept with an under-age prostitute, who later went on to become a reality TV star and fashion designer.
If Karim is found guilty, and convicted of blackmailing, Karim could face up to five full years in prison In France, where the investigation is unfolding.
