French officials reject Karim Benzema racism claims
Karim Benzema has caused a storm ahead of Euro 2016 by claiming that his exclusion from the France squad was racially motivated.
Under investigation over an alleged sex-tape blackmail case, Benzema told Spanish daily Marca that France coach Didier Deschamps had "bowed to pressure from a racist French party" in his selection process.
His comments, however, have been met with indignation with politicians speaking out against the Real Madrid striker's accusations.
French Sports Minister Patrick Kanner sympathized with Benzema's predicament, but rejected any attack on Deschamps just nine days ahead of the start of Euro 2016 in France.
"I can understand Mr Benzema's disappointment but under no circumstances are his statements acceptable regarding what he said about Mr Deschamps' sporting decisions nor his personality," Kanner said.
"I call for calm, I would like us to concentrate on the competition and would ask everyone to get behind 'Les Bleus' which is what the 23 squad members will be expecting of us. So let's stop this non-debate."
Francois Fillon, who was Prime Minister for five years between 2007-2012 and who is hoping to run in the next presidential election, rejected Benzema's position out of hand.
"I can't stand for that," he said. "Forever bringing the nation's problems down to questions of race, religion and ethnic communities, it's unhealthy."
Benzema's remarks have re-ignited France's racial tensions, and found some sympathy with Socialist Party parliamentarian Benoit Hamon.
He told France's Europe 1 radio station that Benzema was "right to say we are in a country where racism is on the rise". But he insisted there was no evidence of Deschamps being a racist.
Benzema was suspended from international duty in December over a legal investigation into an alleged attempt by one of his friends to blackmail France international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
He faces up to five years in jail over accusations he encouraged Valbuena to pay the blackmailers. Benzema has denied all the blackmail accusations.