Karim Benzema cleared by court to play at Euro 2016

We have a sneaking suspicion that France could win the Euros.

Of course, that's only if Martin O'Neill's side suffer a shock result along the way. When you look at the players at the disposal of Didier Deschamps, it's hard discount the likelihood that they will be involved in the last four, and as host nation, they could very easily go all the way. Deschamps, however, was facing a major headache this summer, as it looked like he would be without his key striker for the tournament. Karim Benzema is still under investigation for his alleged role in a sex-tape sting on his international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena. The Real Madrid striker was suspended by the French football federation in December, and was ordered not to make any contact with the midfielder after the sordid allegations surfaced Last month, however, the France international won a significant victory when a judge lifted an order preventing both men from sharing a dressing room. The prosecution appealed that decision this morning, but the appeal failed. The decision was described by Benzema's lawyer as a "first step" and it could clear the way for him to feature in this summer's tournament. The 28-year-old is now clear to play for France legally at least, but the ultimate decision on whether or not he will feature at Euro 2016 may come down to the FFF and Deschamps himself. His trial on preliminary charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam is likely to take place later this year.