A court in Versailles, France, on Wednesday sentenced Karim Benzema, the French national football team striker and Real Madrid's top scorer, to a one-year suspended sentence, after he was found guilty of trying to blackmail his former teammate Mathieu Valbuena with a sex tape.
The court also decided to fine the French striker 75,000 euros.
Prosecutors allege that Benzema encouraged Valbuena to pay blackmailers to keep the tape out of the public eye.
Benzema, who has denied any wrongdoing, did not appear in court because of his association with a match with his Spanish team against Sherif Tiraspol, champions of Moldova in the Champions League, later in the day.
The player's lawyer said that Benzema will appeal the court's decision, and added, "The court clearly stated that Benzema was not aware of the previous maneuvers (within the blackmail case). We were astonished by this ruling. The appeal is necessary because Karim Benzema's position is sound and has nothing to do with the incident. He will be acquitted. on appeal."
Investigators allege that Benzema encouraged Valbuena to pay extortionists who threatened to publish the video.
Benzema has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyer earlier described the case as "ridiculous".
Benzema and Valbuena lost their places in the France squad after the 2015 scandal, dubbed the "sex tape case".
Benzema is back in the France squad to participate in this year's European Championship, and the trial comes at a time when the 33-year-old is in a state of brilliance.