Benzema banned from France squad

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema 

French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet said Benzema's ban would include the 2016 European Championships unless the case was settled.

"I have decided that he is not available for selection,'' added Le Graet, who had previously supported Benzema. He described the decision as "heart-breaking''.

Benzema scored a hat-trick for Real Madrid on Tuesday, in an 8-0 win over Swedish club Malmo in the Champions League.

Benzema, 27, is being investigated over a blackmail plot involving team-mate Mathieu Valbuena but denies wrongdoing.

The former Lyon striker, who has scored 27 international goals, faces charges of conspiracy to blackmail relating to an extortion scam over a sex tape.

France are hosting this summer's European Championship, which gets under way in June. 

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is banned from playing for the France national team because of his alleged involvement in a sex-tape blackmail plot, report AFP.