Mathieu Valbuena sex tape case won't harm French football federation, says President

Noel Le Graet says it is bad for the players, not the FFF

Mathieu Valbuena and Karim Benzema (Getty Images)

French football federation (FFF) President Noel Le Graet says the blackmail scandal that involves two international players is not bad for them, but for the players.

With just months until the country hosts the European Championships, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has this week been interviewed by police in a blackmail plot that involved an alleged sex tape of Lyon's Mathieu Valbuena.

Both players, regular France internationals, were left out of the squad by manager Didier Deschamps for the friendly against Germany tonight and England on Tuesday.

Deschamps has said Valbuena was not in the right mental condition for selection due to the scandal, but insisted the absence of Benzema - whose lawyer Sylvain Cormier has protested his client's innocence - was down to his thigh injury.

"This is bad for both players, not the federation," Le Graet told Le Monde.

"On the side of the FFF, everything is in place for the Euros.

"The technical aspect belongs to Didier (Deschamps). The organisational aspect belongs to (Euro 2016 boss) Jacques Lambert and the FFF. The ticket office is in full swing. Sponsors are here.

"We would have preferred to do without this case, but it has no consequences. There are no worries."

Additional reporting from PA