Karim Benzema will play no part in France's Euro 2016 campaign on home soil this year.
The French Football Federation (FFF) has ruled Karim Benzema out of Euro 2016 selection, citing the need "to work towards unity" in the squad.
Benzema
was suspended from national team duty by the FFF in December pending
the outcome of a legal investigation into an alleged plot to blackmail
fellow international Mathieu Valbuena.
With the investigation still ongoing, and following a meeting between FFF president Noel Le Graet and national team coach Didier Deschamps on Wednesday, the Real Madrid striker will not be reinstated to the national team for the European Championship this year.
"The
evidence available in this case does not clearly establish the
involvement of different actors, including Mr Benzema, and he will
return to the court to establish the responsibilities of the
protagonists," read a statement from the FFF.
"In
light of these elements, and the partial lifting of the judicial review
of Mr Benzema, which made his selection for France again possible,
there is no obstacle, in legal terms, relating to his selection.
"Based
on this analysis, Mr Le Graet and Mr Deschamps met to discuss the
situation of Mr Benzema. The president of the federation and the coach
wish to recall that sporting performance is an important, but not
exclusive, criterion in determining selection for the France national
team.
"The ability of players to work
towards unity, in and around the group, setting an example and the
preservation of the group are also taken into account by all of the
selectors in the Federation.
"As a result, Noel Le Graet and Didier Deschamps decided that Karim Benzema will not participate in Euro 2016."
Benzema was disappointed with the decision but offered thanks for the support he has received.
"Sadly for me and for all who have backed and supported me, I will not be selected for the Euros in France," he posted on his official Twitter account.
Benzema
has been charged with complicity in an attempt to blackmail and
participating in a criminal conspiracy as part of a sex-tape plot
involving Valbuena, which he denies.
In March, it
looked as though the 28-year-old was a step closer to a return to the
France set-up when an order preventing him from meeting his
international team-mate was lifted on appeal.
However,
any potential for a return in the friendly matches against Netherlands
and Russia last month was scuppered by a hamstring injury.
The
striker's last appearance for France came in the 4-0 friendly victory
over Armenia, when he scored twice, in October last year.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Benzema has scored 25 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions for Madrid this season.
France get Euro 2016 underway with the Group A clash against Romania at the Stade de France on June 10.
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