ARIS: Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was picked for France’s roster for Wednesday’s exhibition against Norway despite his involvement in an investigation over allegations that he solicited an underage prostitute.
Benzema, who was not at the World Cup after an unimpressive season, received a call on Thursday along with seven new players, a group that includes Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia.
Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is also involved in the case and was left out by new France coach Laurent Blanc because he was among the 23 players who went on strike during the World Cup. Those players were suspended by Blanc.
A French judge last month issued preliminary charges against Ribery and Benzema as part of a probe into a suspected network of prostitutes operating out of a nightclub on Paris’ Champs-Elysees.
Some members of the French government said it would be better if the players were left out of the national squad during the investigation, but Blanc said Benzema’s private life was none of his business.
“I thought it was important to give him a call because he can be part of the team’s core in a near future,” Blanc said. “He has got the qualities and hopefully he will have the desire. It was my responsibility to take him even if he is not in the best physical and mental shape.”
Benzema, in California on Real Madrid’s preseason tour, has denied any wrongdoing.
“This is a relief,” his lawyer. Sylvain Cormier told RTL radio. “This selection means that for Laurent Blanc the preliminary charges are not the same thing as a conviction. We are getting back to more reasonable positions and to the respect of principles, including the essential one of presumption of innocence.”
France will begin 2012 European Championship qualifying at home against Belarus on Sept. 3.
Blanc’s 22-man roster for next week includes 13 players who haven’t appeared for the national team. Among the veterans are Arsenal’s Samir Nasri, Marseille’s Hatem Ben Arfa and AS Roma’s Philippe Mexes.
Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra, who missed the World Cup due to a stomach problem, also earned a recall.
