Zinedine Zidane: 'Karim Benzema should not be suspended from France duty'

Zinedine Zidane has claimed that it would be wrong for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to be banned from representing France.

Benzema is currently facing charges of conspiracy to blackmail Lyon midfielder Mathieu Valbuena in a sex-tape scandal which has disrupted France's plans for Euro 2016.

However, Zidane is hopeful that reports suggesting Benzema will be temporarily suspended are not true.

"We have to wait until Thursday," the World Cup winner told reporters. "But the best thing for France and the player is for him to avoid a suspension.

"We're talking about a really important player for our team and I'm only focused on the sporting side of things.

"I expect that he can solve his personal problems."

Benzema was not included in the squad for the friendlies with Germany and England last month.