Benzema should not play for France, says Prime minister

PARIS, (Reuters) - Karim Benzema, who is under investigation for alleged blackmailing, should not be called up to the France squad, French Prime minister Manuel Valls said on Tuesday. "If a minister was under formal investigation, they would not be in the government. In a way, it's the same for the France team,", Valls told Europe 1 radio. Real Madrid striker Benzema was put under formal judicial investigation last month in connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail Olympique Lyonnais forward Valbuena with the use of a sex video. Both players were omitted by coach Didier Deschamps when he picked his squad for friendlies against Germany and England last month. Benzema has been forbidden by a prosecutor to be in contact with the people linked to the investigation. (Reporting by Julien Pretot. Editing by Patrick Johnston)