France face striker crisis for Euro 2016 as Karim Benzema suspended by national team

Karim Benezema's alleged role in a sextape blackmail scandal has just cost him his place in the France national team.

The Real Madrid striker is under investigation for his alleged role in a plot to try and blackmail fellow France international Mathieu Valbuena over a sextape during the summer. The striker has denied any involvement in the case, but this afternoon the French football authorities took the unusual step of banning him for selection for the national side. https://twitter.com/LaurensJulien/status/674970286660390912 https://twitter.com/LaurensJulien/status/674970718300463105 https://twitter.com/LaurensJulien/status/674971408049512448 There is no time limit specified as of yet to the ban,  but with the investigation still ongoing, it would seem that Benzema, who scored a hat-trick in Tuesday's 8-0 win over Malmo in the Champion League, is all but ruled out of Euro 2016. France's striking options are not exactly plentiful with Oliver Giroud the only other recognised striker in the frame to start next summer's championships. Anthony Martial and Loic Remy may also be options for Didier Deschamps to replace the 27-year-old.