Left out due to sex tape scandal, Karim Benzema watches Euro 2016 opener

New Delhi: France's highest scorer who is currently active, Karim Benzema watched the match from afar as France vs Romania kicked off Euro 2016.

The Real Madrid man was left out of the French squad for the tournament after he was suspended by the French Football Federation, which is French football's governing body, for reportedly being a part of a alleged sex tape blackmail scandal involving Lyon midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.

Even though he is not a part of the tournament, Benzema watched the opening game.

 

Bonne chance /force

A photo posted by Karim Benzema (@karimbenzema) on Jun 10, 2016 at 12:11pm PDT

 

After his suspension, Benzema has consented with France and Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, who suggested that Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa have been left out of the squad due to their Algerian ethnicity.

As reported by Marca, the Real Madrid forward said that Didier Deschamps "bowed to pressure from a racist French party" by not selecting him, referring to the recent success of France's far-right National Front.

"He has bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France," he said.

"He has to know that in France the extremist party reached the second round in the last two elections.I do not know, therefore, whether it is a decision only for Didier because I've gotten along with him, with the president and everyone."