(as)- Karim Benzema spoke to French national television channel TF1 to give his side on the ongoing extortion case involving Olympique Lyon player, Mathieu Valbuena. The Madrid placer acknowledged that he feels "like a criminal" and is confident that all will be resolved for the three implicated parties; Benzema, Valbuena and his childhood friend, Karim Zenati).
His call to Valbuena: “I heard there was a video in which he appeared and when I mentioned this to him it appeared that I already knew of its existence. I then told him that I could help him through a friend I have in Lyon. I asked him if he had advised his family”
Friendship with Valbuena: “I’m speaking from the heart”
The investigation: “We never spoke about money. I’m hearing all this talk about extortion and it’s driving me crazy”.
Zenati: “Karim Zenati is a childhood friend of mine. He was at one time locked away but is a good person and has a new opportunity in life”.
Regret: “The only thing I regret is having been spied on during a conversation with an old friend”.
Gratitude to Valbuena: “That night Valbuena called me and thanked me for tipping him off. He can attest to that”.
Hopes: “I hope that things work out. I’m not guilty. This will work out well for Valbuena, for my friend and for me”.
Not being able to speak with Valbuena: "I would have liked to be able to speak with Valbuena and be able to wish him the best".
The French channel finally decided to transmit the Benzema interview. The forward wanted to avail of the network's large reach to give his version of the situation. There was a time this evening where a degree of uncertainty existed whether Gilles Bouleau would get to broadcast the interview. On November 28, Benzema’s lawyer, Alain Jakubowicz advised the player that he should speak in public in an effort to clear his name. The original plan was to speak to a French national daily but in the end they decided that a national television network was a better medium.
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