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Karim Benzema under formal investigation for blackmail. Also, he’s friends with some cocaine traffickers.
Y’all, don’t blackmail people or befriend coke traffickers.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Karim Benzema was taken into custody by French police on Wednesday, something his lawyer didn’t think was particularly serious. He said his client had no connection to an alleged blackmail scheme, was willing to answer questions and would be quickly exonerated. The French authorities disagree -- he’s now under formal investigation.
Benzema admitted to having a conversation with the victim about the scheme, but does not believe he participated in the blackmail. According to one very contrary report, he was a very active participant, saying he’d make the victim understand he had to pay.
And this isn’t even the only legal trouble Benzema’s in. In more minor news, he has a court date for driving without a license. In perhaps some more major news, if more details come out, he’s friendly with some cocaine traffickers.
Goal of the day
Willian’s winner for Chelsea. (r/soccer)
In the news
Ivan Rakitic is out for a month and will miss El Clasico. (AS)
Houston Dynamo’s owner has been forced to deny he’s shopping the club’s biggest stars. (MLS)
Jürgen Klopp says he will not be signing Steven Gerrard. (Guardian)
San Antonio is going hard after a new MLS team. (Fox Soccer)
You should be reading
Bobby Gardiner asks if Chelsea have been found out. (Stats Bomb)
Daniel Taylor on the Cristiano Ronaldo portrayed in his biopic. (Guardian)
Richard Jolly on the importance of each team’s starting striker to Spurs and Arsenal. (ESPN FC)
What happened on Wednesday
What to watch on Thursday (click for listings, all times ET)
Europa League: 24 games (from 11 a.m.) - Spurs-Anderlecht is probably the best game of the day.
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