While the French national team have been no stranger to controversy over the years, the outcasting of Karim Benzema in the squad's latest scandal has been misjudged according to Robert Pires. Accruing 74 caps and four winners' medals as a member of Les Bleus' setup across the turn of the century, the ex-midfielder certainly knows what it takes to build a winning team. "I think it's unfair, but [Didier] Deschamps is the boss and we must respect him," said Pires to MARCA. "If I were the coach I'd call him up, because he's class. What happened, I think, is that he wanted to teach [Benzema] a lesson while still qualifying for the World Cup. "I think Benzema can help us a lot in the next World Cup." The former Arsenal star also discussed his lack of surprise in France's current leading forward Antoine Griezmann's rise to the top. "His growth is natural for his ability and his youth," added Pires. "He's one of the best in Europe today, I don't know how it'll go but he's not far from the Ballon d'Or."French Football Federation (FFF) has opened the door for striker Karim Benzema to return to the national team when legal proceedings against him for alleged blackmail have finished.
The striker was suspended indefinitely by the FFF in December 2015 after being put under formal investigation by a judge for an alleged plot to blackmail France team mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex video. Benzema denies any wrongdoing. He subsequently missed the European Championship finals on home soil in June and July. FFF president Noel Le Graet has said the striker will be available for selection, but the final decision will rest with coach Didier Deschamps. "I am against lifetime punishments. Benzema needs to go through the courts, we won't take a risk, whatever it might be," the FFF president told L'Equipe on Sunday. "He already missed the Euros, that's something. "The problem hasn't been raised for the moment, but he's available for selection," he added. "The day when justice will be done, only then will Didier decide whether to integrate him or not."
No court date has been set in Benzema's case. Benzema is yet to feature for Real Madrid in La Liga this season as he recovers from a hip injury. Since the Euros, he has missed France's 3-1 friendly victory over Italy in Bari on Sept. 1 and will not play in their World Cup qualifier in Belarus on Tuesday. The 28-year-old currently sits eighth on France's top-scorer list, having found the net 27 times in 81 appearances for his country.
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