Benzema 'calm' as Valbuena investigation continues

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema remains "calm", according to his lawyer Sylvain Cormier, as reports in France claim he will spend the night in custody while investigations into the alleged blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena continue.

The 27-year-old was brought in by French police in Versailles on Wednesday for questioning believed to be around his knowledge of a group accused of blackmailing Lyon star Valbuena with a sex tape.

Benzema's lawyer Sylvain Cormier told Agence France-Presse his client "played no part whatsoever" in the alleged extortion.

"His mood is calm," Cormier later told reporters.

"My client answers the questions. I recall that it was he who took the initiative to make himself available to the judges."

Benzema is the second high-profile footballer to report to the police over the case, with former France international Djibril Cisse also questioned before being released without charge.